While the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale events are arguably the best times of the year to pick up most gadgets, theyre also a great time to save on subscriptions and services you may already have or that youve been wanting to try. Whether its an audiobook service like Audible, a VPN service like ExpressVPN or an online learning subscription like Masterclass, you can typically find good subscription deals during this time of the year. Many of them also make it pretty easy to give a subscription, too, if youre considering it as a gift for a loved one this year. To make it easier to find the services you want and need this year, Engadget has curated the best subscription deals you can get for Black Friday this year. Best Black Friday subscription deals Audible Premium Plus for $0.99 for three months ($44 off): This deal gives you one title for each of the three months you're subscribed, plus unlimited access to the Premium Plus library of books, podcasts and other. Anyone who's not already subscribed to Audible can get this deal. Amazon Kindle Unlimited for $0 for one month ($12 off): Amazon's ebook subscription service gives you access to a catalog of thousands titles for unlimited reading, select Audible audiobooks to listen to and included magazines to read. Prime members can get a different deal: two months for only $5. Headspace annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Our top pick for the best meditation app has tons of courses that address specific anxieties and worries, a good in-app search engine that makes it easy to find the right meditation you need and additional yoga routines, podcasts and music sessions to try out. Calm annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Another one of our top pocks for the best meditation apps is a great option for anyone new to meditation thanks in part to the many short and focused sessions it includes. There's also a dedicated kids section and subscribers get access to a soothing music library. MasterClass Premium for $10/month ($10 off): Premium subscriptions, which include access for up to six devices and offline mode, are half off for the holidays. MasterClass' other subscription tiers are also discounted. Those who love learning and want to pick up a new hobby (or refine an existing one) can take courses with some of the best in their respective fields. Rosetta Stone lifetime access for $149 ($250 off): Those eager to learn a new language (or two) can get full lifetime access to Rosetta Stone for less for Black Friday. The one-time payment gives you access to the company's Dynamic Immersion courses, TruAccent speech recognition technology to help improve your pronunciation and the ability to learn on mobile and desktop. Adobe Creative Cloud for $30/month ($30 off): First-time subscribers can get half off Creative Cloud for their first year of membership, bringing the cost down to just $30 per month. This gives you access to Photoshop, Illustrator and the rest of Adobe's suite of apps. ProtonVPN Plus two-year plan for $72 ($168 off): Our top pick for the best VPN is based on open-source framework and has a no-logs policy. Its easy-to-use apps are available on most platforms including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and more, and some of them even include a kill-switch feature. ExpressVPN two-year plan plus six extra months for $150 (82 percent off): Our top pick for best VPN for travelers provides access to tons of servers and had some of the fastest connections of any VPN service we tested. In addition to a VPN, this subscription tier gives you access to an ad blocker and password manager. NordVPN Plus two-year plan plus three extra months for $121 (70 percent off): In addition to VPN access, NordVPN's Plus plan gives you a password manager, ad blocker, anti-malware protection and more. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-black-friday-subscription-deals-for-2024-audible-kindle-unlimited-masterclass-protonvpn-and-more-173037965.html?src=rss
Pollution levels cause schools in Rajasthan's Khairthal-Tijara to go online for classes 1 to 5
JAIPUR: The administration of Khairthal-Tijara district in Rajasthan has announced that all schools will hold online classes for students of classes 1 to 5 for four days starting Wednesday in view of alarmingly high pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. The order was issued by District Collector Kishore Kumar on Tuesday following the Supreme Court's directions to all states in the Delhi-NCR area to decide on conducting physical classes for students up to class 12 amid the dire situation. Khairthal-Tijara, which was carved out of Alwar in August 2023, falls under the National Capital Region (NCR). In his order, Kumar said all government and private schools in the district will suspend physical classes for students of classes 1 to 5 from November 20 to 23, or until further notice (whichever is earlier). Teachers will hold online classes for students during this period, the order stated. The order is only applicable to students, teachers are required to come to school to conduct online classes. Rajasthan government orders 3,000 mines, industries to shut down in two districts to combat severe air pollution INTERVIEW | Online classes for kids amid air pollution raise questions of effectiveness
The lost charm of collecting autographs
KOCHI: One of the most interesting stories about autograph collecting is from 1932 when the Waterman Pen Company launched a major campaign to collect autographs in their special albums. More than 150,000 boys and girls under 16 participated. Waterman exhibited the winning albums and the top 30 entries at the 1933 Chicago World Fair and then returned them to the collectors. There were 333 prizes, comprising 133 cash prizes (including a grand prize of $1000), 100 Waterman Fountain Pens and 100 Waterman Mechanical Pencils. It was indeed an interesting marketing campaign. During my teenage years (in the 1990s), I remember asking my classmates to write messages and sign autographs on the last day of high school. Getting a celebrity autograph was almost impossible, especially if you lived in a small town. When one of my friends got a signed photo from actor Juhi Chawla, he became a celebrity in school. The first major celebrity autograph I received was from actor Rajinikanth, who was sitting at the next table when I went for dinner with friends at Hotel Atria in Bengaluru. I have kept an album of all the autographs I have collected from theatre stalwarts such as Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, and musicians from Jagjit Singh to Zakir Hussain. My most precious autograph book is of the entire Indian cricket team from a charity dinner after a friendly match. There was a time when I had numerous signed cricket bats from Nasser Hussain to Chaminda Vaas! Lets go back to the history of collecting autographs. The word autograph comes from the Greek word autographon ,which means written with ones own hand. In Greece and Rome, rulers usually sealed their decrees with a wax seal and sometimes they signed their names in ink. The Greeks valued these documents and built some of the first libraries to hold them. But it was the Romans who seemed to have been the first to collect them. VR Ferose That trend died when Rome fell in 476 AD. No signature of the ancient Greek and Roman rulers survived. Collecting autographs became fashionable again during the Renaissance period (1300-1600). Alba Amicorum (friendship albums), which originated in Germany, was the earliest example of an autograph album. Wealthy travellers asked the personalities they met along the way to make entries into the elaborately made books. The album proved how well-connected they were to high-ranking people. One of the first specialised publications about autograph collecting, Handbuch fr Autographensammler[Handbook for Autograph Collectors]by Johannes Gnther,was published in1876and contains 290 pages. It has since been digitised and is available on the internet as an e-book. Clergyman and writer William Buell Sprague (1795-1876) collected the autographs of the signatories of the United States Declaration of Independence. At the time of his death, he had collected more than 100,000 autographs! Guenther Mecklenburg (1898-1984) wrote the first modern handbook in the field: Von Autographen-sammeln [On Collecting Autographs]. Published by Stargardt in 1963, it has been out of print for a long time. One of my favourite books in this category is Two Hitlers and a Marilyn by Adam Andrusier. It is a funny yet poignant memoir. Today, autograph collecting is a dying art as more people are interested in clicking selfies. However, autographs are still sold by auction houses and the industry is worth billions.
JAIPUR: In a sudden but significant step to tackle the escalating air pollution crisis, the Bhajan Lal-led Rajasthan government has shut down 3,000 mines and industries in Alwar and Bharatpur districts, according to an order by the Rajasthan Pollution Control Board. Additionally, all construction activities in these areas have been halted. Along with this, construction work going on in these areas has also been stopped. The decision comes in the wake of a sharp decline in air quality across the National Capital Region (NCR), including Delhi, where air pollution has reached critical levels since Monday. Being part of the NCR, Alwar and Bharatpur are facing similar challenges. Rising Pollution Levels in Alwar and Bhiwadi The pollution in Alwar has reached alarming levels, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 295 on Monday. The situation is even more grave in Bhiwadi, where the AQI soared to a hazardous 442, far exceeding the severe threshold of 401. To address the crisis, the government has implemented the highest level of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP 4) in these districts, imposing strict restrictions on industrial and construction activities. The fourth phase (GRAP 4) of the Graded Response Action Plan has been implemented in Alwar and Bharatpur districts which fall in NCR. The Rajasthan Pollution Control Board issued orders to enforce these measures on Tuesday morning. Statewide Pollution Concerns The air quality in several other districts of Rajasthan has also deteriorated, with AQI levels ranging from poor to severe. This decline is attributed largely to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. Districts such as Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Churu, and Hanumangarh are particularly affected. Residents in these districts are experiencing significant discomfort due to pollution. A thick layer of smog has blanketed the skies, reducing visibility throughout the day. Many people have reported symptoms such as eye irritation, difficulty in breathing, coughing, and runny noses.
Dhawan, Raina Among Marquee Names For Inaugral Season Of Big Cricket League
The Big Cricket League: In an exciting cricketing spectacle, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Irfan Pathan will join skilled amateur players of all ages in a unique T20 tournament, the Big Cricket League (BCL) which will debut in Surat in December. It provides a special opportunity for cricket fans and aspiring players to play alongside some of the greatest names in international cricket. BCL aims to promote the sport's universal appeal by serving as a link between upcoming talent and cricketing stalwarts. It is more than just another cricket competition. The league is poised to enthrall viewers globally with a live broadcast, fulfilling the aspirations of both players and supporters. The BCL distinguishes itself by fusing the enthusiasm of amateur cricket players with the expertise of former international cricket stars. This will be many people's first and only chance to meet cricket stalwarts on a professional level. In addition to encouraging a stronger bond with the game, the league hopes to motivate a new generation of players and supporters. Excited to be part of this groundbreaking initiative, Shikhar Dhawan shared his thoughts, I am super excited for the Big Cricket League, which brings together former international cricket stars and amateur cricketers of all ages who couldnt become professionals. I would like to applaud Dilip Vengsarkar, Courtney Walsh, and RP Singh for this initiative. Speaking on the vision for BCL, RP Singh, Founder & President of the Big Cricket League, stated I am extremely delighted to welcome Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Irfan Pathan to the Big Cricket League as marquee players. They are stalwarts of Indian cricket, and their presence will make this league a brilliant spectacle. I am eager to see the amateur players interact, learn, and play alongside these stalwarts, making their lifelong dream come true. Echoing this sentiment, Annirudh Chauhan, CEO & Co-founder of BCL, remarked The Big Cricket League is a platform that will fulfil the dreams of several amateur cricketers who have always yearned to rub shoulders with icons of the game. Cricket lovers and fans from around the world will enjoy the coming together of amateur talents of all ages and these cricketing stalwarts. Speaking on the vision for BCL, RP Singh, Founder & President of the Big Cricket League, stated I am extremely delighted to welcome Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Irfan Pathan to the Big Cricket League as marquee players. They are stalwarts of Indian cricket, and their presence will make this league a brilliant spectacle. I am eager to see the amateur players interact, learn, and play alongside these stalwarts, making their lifelong dream come true. Also Read: Highest tax paying cricketers Article Source: IANS
Soon-To-Be Mom Athiya Shetty Spotted Jetting Off From Mumbai, Glowing In Pregnancy Bliss | Watch
Soon-to-be mommy Athiya Shetty looked radiant in a salwar suit as she was papped at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday morning. Despite being a celebrity, she wasn't seen cutting any long queues. In fact, she is seen patiently waiting for her turn. Watch the video for more.
The affable street-fighter of Odisha politics
BHUBANESWAR : In the demise of Samir Dey, the Odisha BJP has lost one of the scriptwriters of its evolution from a sign board party to the most formidable political force in the state today. As the saffron party has finally managed to ascend to power earlier this year, it cannot but remember the contribution of the affable street-fighter in laying the foundation for its rise in Odisha. The three-time MLA and former minister passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital here on Monday. He was just 67 but had virtually retreated from active politics due to health issues since the last five years. His health problems had aggravated recently after which he was hospitalised for pneumonia, kidney and cardiac ailments. He had been undergoing treatment in the ICU for more than two weeks. He leaves behind his wife and a daughter. The passing away of Dey marks the end of an era in Odisha politics and a political career spanning more than three-and-half decades. Born to a reputed Bengali family at Punang village in Jagatsinghpur district, Dey had been active in student politics and became the president of Cuttack Christ College Students Union from ABVP in 1980. He went on to gain a degree in Law and took to legal practice while being a forefront RSS worker and BJP Yuva Morcha. He was then drafted into the BJP and in 1990 made the candidate from Cuttack Assemby constituency only to taste defeat. Veteran BJP leader, former minister Samir Dey passes away This was the time when then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had taunted the BJP as a sign board party in the state. But the tables turned in just the next election in 1995 when Dey pulled off a stunning upset defeating the Janata Dal stalwart and health minister Mustiafiz Ahmed from the seat. This was the outcome of the relentless street agitations launched by Dey against the then JD government and his peoples connect. Dey joined active politics by getting a party nomination from Cuttack city in 1990 when we had won just three seats in Bonai, Junagarh and Malkangiri. No one in their wildest imagination had thought that BJP will win the prestigious seat in the cultural capital of Odisha in the next elections. This laid the stepping stone for the rise of BJP in Odisha and Dey had a major hand in it, senior party leader and former state unit president Samir Mohanty said. Party leaders, workers, cadres and even the rivals acknowledge Deys amiable personality and an unwavering commitment for the poor and marginalised sections, particularly slum dwellers of Cuttack city. Dey had a very unique quality of endearing even his rivals. He worked diligently in all the slums of the city and was always a call away when someone needed him. Besides, his association with Puja committees and peace committees made him popular in all households, senior high court advocate and Sangh Parivar member Anup Bose said. With the BJD-BJP alliance in power from 2000-2009, Dey was a high profile member of the Naveen Patnaik cabinet handling Housing and Urban Development and Higher Education departments in successive terms. As Urban minister, he initiated many reforms and infrastructure upgradation projects. His contribution to higher education sector was equally stellar.
The best Black Friday subscription deals for 2024: Audible, Kindle Unlimited, MasterClass and more
While the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale events are arguably the best times of the year to pick up most gadgets, theyre also a great time to save on subscriptions and services you may already have or that youve been wanting to try. Whether its an audiobook service like Audible, a VPN service like ExpressVPN or an online learning subscription like MasterClass, you can typically find good subscription deals during this time of the year. Many of them also make it pretty easy to give a subscription, too, if youre considering it as a gift for a loved one this year. To make it easier to find the services you want and need, Engadget has curated the best Black Friday subscription deals you can get this year. Best Black Friday subscription deals Audible Premium Plus for $0.99 for three months ($44 off): This deal gives you one title for each of the three months you're subscribed, plus unlimited access to the Premium Plus library of books, podcasts and other. Anyone who's not already subscribed to Audible can get this deal. Amazon Kindle Unlimited for $0 for one month ($12 off): Amazon's ebook subscription service gives you access to a catalog of thousands titles for unlimited reading, select Audible audiobooks to listen to and included magazines to read. Prime members can get a different deal: two months for only $5. Headspace annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Our top pick for the best meditation app has tons of courses that address specific anxieties and worries, a good in-app search engine that makes it easy to find the right meditation you need and additional yoga routines, podcasts and music sessions to try out. Calm annual plan for $35 ($35 off): Another one of our top pocks for the best meditation apps is a great option for anyone new to meditation thanks in part to the many short and focused sessions it includes. There's also a dedicated kids section and subscribers get access to a soothing music library. MasterClass Premium for $10/month ($10 off): Premium subscriptions, which include access for up to six devices and offline mode, are half off for the holidays. MasterClass' other subscription tiers are also discounted. Those who love learning and want to pick up a new hobby (or refine an existing one) can take courses with some of the best in their respective fields. Rosetta Stone lifetime access for $149 ($250 off): Those eager to learn a new language (or two) can get full lifetime access to Rosetta Stone for less for Black Friday. The one-time payment gives you access to the company's Dynamic Immersion courses, TruAccent speech recognition technology to help improve your pronunciation and the ability to learn on mobile and desktop. ProtonVPN Plus two-year plan for $72 ($168 off): Our top pick for the best VPN is based on open-source framework and has a no-logs policy. Its easy-to-use apps are available on most platforms including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows and more, and some of them even include a kill-switch feature. ExpressVPN two-year plan plus six extra months for $150 (82 percent off): Our top pick for best VPN for travelers provides access to tons of servers and had some of the fastest connections of any VPN service we tested. In addition to a VPN, this subscription tier gives you access to an ad blocker and password manager. NordVPN Plus two-year plan plus three extra months for $121 (70 percent off): In addition to VPN access, NordVPN's Plus plan gives you a password manager, ad blocker, anti-malware protection and more. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-black-friday-subscription-deals-for-2024-audible-kindle-unlimited-masterclass-and-more-173037752.html?src=rss
Piped water supply to be hit in 3 zones of south Chennai on November 20
Areas including T. Nagar, Nandanam, Chetpet, Gopalapuram, and Alwarpet will be affected
The culinary education in Telangana has taken a major leap with the launch of 100 Folds Culinary Guild, a premier culinary education institute that is on par with global standards. The institute, which has successfully completed its first quarter in Hyderabad, stands as an innovative space that uniquely combines traditional culinary mastery with modern innovation. It is the first culinary academy in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to offer a 6-month diploma course and offer City & Guilds certification, marking a new chapter in professional culinary education in South India. Picture Courtesy : By arrangement According to the Director of 100 Folds, Alisha Faleiro, an international award-winning chef with extensive expertise in the culinary arts, the academy draws inspiration from the traditional chef's hat's hundred pleatseach fold representing a unique skill, symbolising mastery, dedication, and excellence in culinary arts. At 100 Folds, we're not just teaching recipes; we're nurturing the next generation of culinary innovators, says Chef Alisha. Picture Courtesy : By arrangement The collaboration with City & Guilds, a globally recognised certification body with over 140 years of excellence, positions 100 Folds graduates for international career opportunities. This certification, respected in over 100 countries, ensures students receive education aligned with global industry standards. The City & Guilds certification and comprehensive programmes ensure our students are prepared for global opportunities while maintaining a deep respect for culinary traditions. The comprehensive six-month diploma programs blend traditional techniques with modern innovations, provides a scientific understanding with artistic vision and offers hands-on training with business acumen. Picture Courtesy : by arrangement What sets 100 Folds apart is its unique guild concept fostering a community of culinary professionals united by their passion for excellence, offering: it supports culinary entrepreneurs with strategic guidance and bridges the gap between education and industry. The institute is led by industry stalwarts bringing over three decades of combined expertise and offers state-of-the-art training facilities.
Campaigning for Rohit Pawar, NCP (SP) chief slams Shinde govt for agrarian crisis, farmer suicides
Mumbai: NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Monday said the Mahayuti government had failed to address Maharashtra's agrarian crisis and claimed more than 20,000 farmers had ended their lives under the Eknath Shinde dispensation. He was addressing a rally for his party candidate and sitting MLA Rohit Pawar in Karjat-Jamkhed in Ahilyanagar district (formerly Ahmednagar) on the last day of campaigning for the November 20 assembly polls. The policies of the Centre and state government were making farming unviable, leading to distress among farmers, which was driving them to suicide, the former Union agriculture minister said. The real reason behind these suicides is clear. Farming has become unaffordable. Under the Mahayuti government, more than 20,000 farmers have committed suicide. Despite this, the government continues to ignore their plight. The government waives loans of industrialists but does not extend this benefit to distressed farmers, he said. The Mahayuti comprises Chief Minister Shinde's Shiv Sena, the BJP, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Pawar said just like Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unfulfilled promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh in the accounts of citizens, the Shinde government's flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana too would be abandoned after the polls. Under the scheme, women with an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh are given Rs 1500 as monthly aid. The Mahayuti has been claiming that this amount will be raised to Rs 2100 if it retains power in the state. In the past few years, 67,000 complaints have been filed regarding violence against women. Additionally, 64,000 women are missing. Nearly 62 lakh people have no jobs in the state. These are the harsh realities, he said attacking the ruling alliance. He also attacked BJP leader Ram Shinde, who is pitted against Rohit Pawar, without taking the former MLA's name. Pawar said the Karjat-Jamkhed region lacked development because the previous elected representative did nothing. Shinde had won the seat in 2009 and 2014 before being defeated by Rohit Pawar in 2019 by a margin of more than 43,000 votes. I once came here and saw a luxurious bungalow and wondered who could afford such a house in a drought-prone region. You can guess the answer, Pawar said. I began my political journey as an MLA, then became a junior minister, later a cabinet minister, and eventually chief minister and Union minister. Rohit Pawar is completing his first term. With your support, he can continue his progress in the next term, the NCP (SP) chief told the gathering while underlining his belief in the 39-year-old leader's potential. Pawar said he had worked towards developing Pune city and also boosted rural industrial growth there, and asserted the same is planned for Ahilyanagar. To achieve this, you need to make Rohit Pawar victorious. If we want development in Karjat-Jamkhed, we need an MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation). Without it, no real progress can be made, the opposition stalwart emphasized.
J&K Bank Fake App circulating on WhatsApp; Cyber Police warns
Srinagar, Nov 17: Cyber Police of Kashmir has alerted citizens about a fraudulent J&K Bank APK file being shared on WhatsApp. The malicious file is suspected to contain malware or spyware, potentially compromising users personal data and device security. A Srinagar based News agency reported that the Cyber Police urged the public not to download []
Salwar Caught Fire But...: How UP Nurse Saved Over Dozen Babies
Nurse Megha James was on duty when the fire broke out at the Jhansi hospital and she threw herself headlong into the rescue efforts, playing a hero's role by saving several babies.
Jhansi fire: Nurses heroic efforts helped save over dozen babies
Lucknow/Jhansi: Nurse Megha James was on duty when the fire broke out at the Jhansi hospital and she threw herself headlong into the rescue efforts, playing a heros role by saving several babies. Even when her salwar got burned, she refused to give up and was able to evacuate 14-15 babies with others help. I Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Cyber Police Alert Public About Fake, Malicious Jammu Kashmir Bank APK File
SRINAGAR: Cyber Police of Kashmir has alerted citizens about a fraudulent Jammu and Kashmir Bank APK file being shared on WhatsApp. The malicious file is suspected to contain malware or spyware, potentially compromising users personal data and device security. The Cyber Police urged the public not to download or install APK files from unofficial sources, [] The post Cyber Police Alert Public About Fake, Malicious Jammu Kashmir Bank APK File appeared first on Kashmir Life .
Elect NDA in Maharashtra to protect Dharma: Dy CM Pawan Kalyan
VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan underscored the need for electing an NDA government in Maharashtra to safeguard Sanatan Dharma from divisive forces. He highlighted Maharashtras rich heritage, where many stalwarts have strived to protect the sanctity of Sanatana Dharma. The actor-turned-politician urged the people of Maharashtra to draw inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and protect Sanatana Dharma, which, he stated, could only be achieved under the leadership of the NDA. Over the last 10 years, the NDA has made India shine on the global stage. It is time to fight for the protection of Sanatana Dharma, the Marathi language, and the States culture, he said. Addressing a public meeting in Degloor Assembly constituency on Saturday as part of his campaign for the NDA in the Assembly elections, Pawan Kalyan received a traditional welcome from the family of NDA candidate Jitish Rao Saheb Antapurkar upon his arrival in Degloor. Pawan Kalyan asserted that Indias emergence as the third-largest economy in the world was possible only under the NDA regime. He also praised the Nagpur-to-Thane Samruddhi Mahamarg project, which, he said, has contributed significantly to Maharashtras overall development. I hold the highest regard for the land of the Marathas, which exemplifies the true meaning of Swaraj. This is the land of great leaders like Dr BR Ambedkar, he remarked. Pawan Kalyan lauded Balasaheb Thackerays dedication to protecting Sanatan Dharma. One of the seven tenets of Jana Sena nationalism combined with regionalism is inspired by Thackerays ideals, he said. He also emphasised that Thackerays spirit is reflected in the numerous policies implemented by the NDA. Listing the NDAs achievements, the actor-turned-politician highlighted the vision of making Maharashtra a strong economic powerhouse by 2028 and its crucial role in Indias journey to becoming a global superpower with a `5 trillion GDP. He appealed to the people of Degloor to elect Jitish Rao Saheb with a record majority, citing development initiatives like the Har Ghar Jal Yojana. Lambasting the Congress, the Deputy Chief Minister claimed that Sanatana Dharma and its followers faced a security crisis under its rule, pointing to incidents like the Palghar sadhu killings. The Congress government, in its bid to appease certain sections, failed to act against those responsible. Such governments are not what we need. We need a government that embodies the spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, labelling Congress leaders as divisive forces. Pawan Kalyans slogans of Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji, Jai Maharashtra and his speech, interspersed with Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu, resonated well with the crowd. Later, he addressed election rallies at Bhokar in Nanded district.
From Anantapur to global dance stage
TIRUPATI: At the age of 40, Dr Vasanth Kiran Rayasam from Anantapur district is a name celebrated in classical dance circles. A master of Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam, Dr Vasanths contributions as a performer, choreographer, and teacher have left an indelible mark, both in India and abroad. His journey is steeped in tradition, having trained under stalwarts like Dr Vempati Chinna Satyam in Kuchipudi and Mandakini Udupi in Bharatanatyam. Beyond performance, his academic pursuits are equally remarkable, holding multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. in Management and gold medals in dance studies. Over the years, Vasanth has showcased Indian classical arts across 35 countries, presenting spellbinding choreographies like Ardhasaankaram and Pandurangam Bhaje at events such as the Khajuraho Dance Festival and Mysore Dasara. He has composed more than 100 dance pieces, many performed globally. His teaching has also been transformative. As the founding head of performing arts departments at Alliance University and REVA University, he combined arts and management to inspire a new generation of performers. Now, through Bharata Kala Grama, a Gurukulam in Karnataka, he offers free training to underprivileged students, keeping the arts accessible and alive. Recognised with the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar in 2020, his stature continues to grow. He recently performed at the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple and the opening of Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Art has the power to unify and empower, he said, reflecting his passion for nurturing young talent. For him, teaching is not just about creating dancers but thinkers who carry forward Indias cultural heritage. Starting his journey from rural Karnataka to global stages, Dr Vasanths odyssey is a testament to how tradition, innovation, and dedication can inspire and empower generations.
Rajnath Asks Rahul Gandhi to Specify Quota for Every Community After Caste Census
Mumbai: Union minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday addressed a meeting of Hindi speaking people at a hotel in Mumbai. Around 23 lakh north Indian voters are in Mumbai. Mr Singh said that the party had not achieved the desired result in Lok Sabha election from Haryana and Maharashtra, but the situation has now changed as is evident from the Haryana Assembly election result. The senior BJP leader also questioned the logic behind Congress leader Rahul Gandhis promise of caste census. What will he do with data? he asked. Senior BJP leader Kripashankar Singh and BJP leader Akhilesh Chaubey-led Parishram Sanstha (organisation) organised the event at a hotel in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). A large number of intellectuals from the North Indian community residing in Mumbai attended the programme, which was also attended by Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, north Indian leaders and prominent personalities from business, education, medical field and legal fraternity. Mr Singh said that the mood of the people has changed as the BJP is coming to power with clear majority in Jharkhand there is a conducive atmosphere in Maharashtra for the BJP in comparison to the Lok Sabha election. We are hopeful that our government will come here as well, he said. Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhis demand for caste census, the senior BJP leader said that Mr. Gandhi has been repeatedly saying that he is committed to conducting a caste census in the country. Rahul should tell what he will do after conducting the caste census?, he asked. Mr Singh went on saying that the Congress leader should first make a blueprint and present it before the country as to how much reservation Mr Gandhi would give to which castes after conducting caste census. There should be a discussion in the country on this issue and a consensus should be formed over the same. But he will not do it as he wants to gain support only by misleading the people, the senior BJP leader said. Referring to caste census during the UPA government, he said that the caste census was done in the country in 2011. There are more than one lakh castes and sub-castes. However, the report was not published. A few years ago, the Ministry of Social Justice had conducted a caste census. Several thousand backward castes, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes were found in the census. Perhaps, he (Rahul Gandhi) thinks that a government can be formed by misleading the people, Mr.Singh said. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, the BJP led Mahayuti alliance won only 18 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra including two out of six seats in Mumbai. The BJP won only one out of three seats it contested in Mumbai. Its alliance partner Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena won the Mumbai North West seat by the margin of mere 48 votes. By roping in the north Indian stalwart leaders like Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath, the party is trying to consolidate its north Indian votes in Mumbai. The north Indian voters can play a major role in 20 out of 36 Assembly seats in the city. The north Indian community is a decisive factor on at least nine seats, namely Dahisar, Kalina, Andheri (East), Versova, Dindoshi, Malad, Goregaon, Jogeshwari and Chandivali.
French club Lyon risks relegation to second tier if finances are not rectified
Paris: Seven-time French champion Lyon risks relegation to the second tier at the end of the season and has been hit with a transfer ban because of financial irregularities. The decision to provisionally relegate Lyon to Ligue 2 followed an audit of the club's finances by the French league's football watchdog, known as DNCG. The DNCG decided that Lyon's financial situation must improve by the end of the season, and no signings can be made in the January transfer window. The DNCG will also oversee the players' salaries. Lyon is owned by American businessman John Textor, who also has stakes in Premier League team Crystal Palace and Brazils Botafogo. Textor had sounded confident after presenting the clubs case to the DNCG on Friday afternoon, reportedly saying that the meeting went well and I am confident in our figures. Fifth-place Lyon reported earlier this month that it has a financial debt of 505 million euros ($532.6 million), and it means the former Champions League semifinalist may have to sell some of its best players, such as 21-year-old midfielder Rayan Cherki, in January. High earners, such as club stalwarts Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso, may also have to leave. The DNCG ruled in July last year that Lyon did not provide sufficient financial guarantees, and Textor hit back at the DNCG's decision to monitor the clubs transfer activities last season . Lyon's situation echoes what happened to Bordeaux, another storied club. The six-time French champion is now languishing in the fourth tier of French football. Bordeaux, swamped by 118 million euros ($128 million) of debt, has closed its youth academy, womens division and most administrative offices. It has filed for bankruptcy and renounced its status as a professional sports club.
Farrukh Dhondy | Online scams are proliferating Be careful, or you could lose money
The Plane tree leaves now carpet the earth In autumn in London the pavements are lush With the palm-shaped debris, yellow and dry Till the coming of winter, heralding the birth In spring of new leaves, I now wonder why Ive never remarked on Plane trees in bloom But comment on their largesse now their leaves fall, As the feet of the passers nudge them aside -- So many -- how will the councils assume To gather as garbage this autumnal pride? From The Bells of Bellpuri , by Bachchoo I am constantly warned, through emails and posts on WhatsApp, against scams. Only yesterday I was offered malware to protect against malware. Like the perpetual liar confessing Everything I say is a lie? And no, gentle reader, I didnt send my bank details to the Nigerian Lottery which wanted to deposit my winnings on a ticket bought for me by an anonymous admirer. But alas, I have stumbled, fallen through gullibility. Not once, but twice. Chumps election forced me to postpone this confession but now here it is: Some weeks ago, the plastic handle of my steam-iron broke. I instinctively tried Superglue. No luck! As most of my friends do, and I inductively follow, I seek answers to banal questions from Google. I once asked it why the bhakras (Parsi sweet biscuits) I cook dont swell up like puris, when those cooked by my grandma and mum did spectacularly. I got a reasonable answer, even to that! So, I asked Googs if some plastics are resistant to superglue and he/she/it/they (one has to be so careful these days!) said yes and gave me chemical details which I dare not bore you with. I ventured further and troubled Googy again, asking the oracle if there were any glues which would stick recalcitrant plastics and answer came there in a flood. Googlita suggested several tubes of stuff that would do the trick. I selected the second cheapest as I was offered a large range of prices. The vendor of this stuff is called Ozerty, and the price advertised was 4.49. I trustingly filled in my particulars -- email, debit card details, address, etc. I chose Free Delivery when given the option and pressed the buttons to complete the sale. It said it would be delivered in a couple of days. Great. A day or so later I had occasion to look up my telephone banking account details and the charge against the Ozerty glue was 18.44. What??? I emailed Ozerty to ask why I had been charged the extra 14 or so pounds. A female operative replied saying that I had incurred an eco-charge as my order was for less than 20 and Ozerty is charging this extra eco-charge to protect the environment for deliveries of small orders. I was informed in the same email that there was a notice to tell me that an eco-charge would be added. I didnt notice this as it appeared in a non-descriptive way which no buyer would notice. It didnt say what the charge would be and didnt ask for the customers consent. Ive demanded my money back. An email reply said they couldnt send me the money until I received and returned the product. It doesnt end there!!!! I looked at my phone banking account ten days after I had placed the first order. Id not ordered anything after that first 4.44 glue. The account now shows that Ozerty has used my debit card to charge me 29.99 for absolutely nothing. I ordered nothing or communicated with Ozerty about any of their products. Was this outright fraud? I lodged a complaint through email demanding my money back and saying Ill inform my bank of an unauthorised charge. Ozerty replied saying theyd signed me up as a subscriber and listed the benefits and discounts Id get when I bought other products. I dont want their products or their discounts or their subscription which I never asked for! Perhaps they mean well with the eco-charge and will use the extra 14 to bribe China to stop using fossil fuels? And perhaps theyll make me an unsubscriber and return my money? And so, gentle reader, to my other, earlier gullibility. Its a different sort of story. Very briefly, experiencing some hearing loss perhaps two years ago an ad popped up on my computer saying it could definitely tackle loss of hearing and offered me a video to see how. I fell for it. The video had a qualified doctor saying he was going deaf and told us how he suffered from it and led to his determination to find a cure. He did. His life suddenly blossomed, from the closed hearing bud to the full flowering of sound. There followed the syrupy testimony of several people who swore by the cure. OK, I fell for it and bought the pills, took the six-week course of them and noticed -- a deterioration in my hearing. Conned. Since then, Ive noticed several ads and videos of precisely the same sort for loss of vision, arthritis -- anything that age incurably brings. The videos follow the same pattern: the inventive doctors who suffer then find the natural cure, get witnesses who have been cured to testify, attack Big Pharma as their enemy and then sell their -- snake oil? Caveat emptor!
Google Introduces New Safety Features To Pixels For Identifying Scam Calls, Malware
Google has introduced two new safety features: 'Scam Detection' to protect users from fraud and Google 'Play Protect' live threat detection for protection from malware.
CBIC appoints Mohan Kumar Singh and Yogendra Garg as new members
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) appointed two new members to its board. Mohan Kumar Singh, current Director General of Revenue Intelligence, will assume his role on December 1, 2024. Yogendra Garg, Principal Director General of Systems and Data Management, will join on January 1, 2025, succeeding retiring members Rajeev Talwar and Alok Shukla, respectively.
Star Cast: Vikrant Massey, Ridhi Dogra, Raashii Khanna Director: Dheeraj Sarna The Sabarmati Report Movie Review Synopsis: THE SABARMATI REPORT is the story of two journalists trying to search for the truth. The year is 2002. Samar Kumar (Vikrant Massey) is a Delhi-based cameraman who works for EBT News in the entertainment beat. The star reporter of this news channel is Manika (Ridhi Dogra). Her reporting is quite respected and also watched by millions across the country. On February 27, 2002, her editor Raman Talwar informs her that two bogies of the Sabarmati Express were set on fire early in the morning at Godhra. Manika rushes to the sleepy Gujarat town along with Samar. Both investigate and talk to the locals in Godhra and they realize that what happened on February 27 was not an accident. Yet, Manika stresses that the episode was an accident and blames the state government for it. Samar has reservations about the stifling of truth. He independently goes to the civil hospital in Godhra and speaks to the survivors who confirm that certain miscreants purposely set fire to the coaches. Samar submits these tapes to the EBT News. However, only Manika's tape is aired on air. Samar blasts Raman and Manika in front of the office. Samar is fired and the management makes sure that he doesn't get a job elsewhere. 5 years pass. In 2007, Amrita Gill (Raashii Khanna) joins EBT and is a fan girl of Manika. Manika and Raman realize that the sitting chief minister of Gujarat will be re-elected. As part of the plans to get into his good books, they decide to get Amrita to do a follow-up story on the Godhra episode. While going through the archives, Amrita stumbles upon Samar's hospital footage. She realizes that it's contrary to the rest of the investigation conducted by Manika on the incident. She decides to meet Samar and both start working on The Sabarmati Report. What happens next forms the rest of the film. The Sabarmati Report Movie Story Review: The story is one-sided and doesn't cover all aspects of the episode. Arjun Bhandegaonkar and Avinash Singh Tomar's screenplay is gripping but also has several loose ends. Dheeraj Sarna's dialogues (additional dialogues by Arjun Bhandegaonkar and Avinash Singh Tomar) are sharp. Dheeraj Sarna's direction is not up to the mark. To give credit where it's due, he has extracted fine performances from the lead actors. He also keeps the duration in check. A few scenes stand out like Samar's outburst, Samar and Amrita escaping from the Vadodara locality, etc. The bond shared by Samar and Amrita makes for a nice watch. It's also heartening that the makerspay tribute to the victims of the train incident. Raja Ram The Sabarmati Report | Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna, Ridhi Dogra | Kavita Krishnamurthy, Suresh Wadkar, Kartik Kush On the flipside, the film tries to put the blame of the episode majorly on wrong reporting, as if that's the only reason for what conspired later on. If one goes by the film, then EBT News is the only news channel operating in India and that they had the power to alter the truth single-handedly. Those who are aware of this incident will know that many others were also responsible for the deaths that occurred later on but the film makes no mention of it. The direction is also haphazard at times and the story abruptly jumps as well. The audience will fail to understand how and why the case was filed against Samar and why no legal action was taken against Amrita since she was also a part of the investigation. Towards the end, we see Amrita reporting on the real truth before Manika cuts her off. But how come a novice like Amrita even gets the opportunity to go on air without the approval of the seniors? These minuses far outweigh the pluses and hence, the film becomes a laughable affair. The Sabarmati Report Movie Review Performances: Vikrant Massey puts in an earnest effort and delivers a hard-hitting performance. The film is a bit watchable, thanks to him and the other lead actors. Ridhi Dogra shines and looks convincing as a no-nonsense media personality. Shockingly, she disappears after a point. Raashii Khanna has a late entry but makes up for it with her memorable performance. Barkha Singh (Shloka) is lovely in a cameo. Sundip Ved (Senior Minister), Digvijay Purohit (Rajeev; EBT head) and the actor playing Raman Talwar leave a huge mark. The others who do well are the actors essaying the roles of Mishra ji, Zainab (receptionist at Tiranga Lodge), Sadia, Arun Barda, Sajid Batlawala, Sadam Supariwala and Hamid Qadri. Lastly, Hella Stichlmair (Senior leader of the opposition party) is very bad. The Sabarmati Report movie music and other technical aspects: As for the songs, 'Tere Mere Darmiyan' is forgettable while 'Raja Ram' manages to register. Ketan Sodha's background score is impactful. Amalendu Chaudhary's cinematography is appropriate. The late Rajat Poddarr's production design is well-researched. Leepakshi Ellawadi's costumes and Aejaz Gulab's action are realistic. Manan Sagar's editing is slick but has jerks in some places. The Sabarmati Report Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, THE SABARMATI REPORT fails to impress due to its haphazard execution & loose ends in the script. At the box office, it will be flop show.
Donald Trump's Top Team: From RFK Jr, Elon Musk To Tulsi Gabbard, Firebrands And Stalwarts
US President-elect Donald Trump is handing top roles for his future White House to a mix of political allies, firebrands and a few relatively conventional figures.
Hyderabad Cybercrime cops help credit card fraud victim recover Rs 1.18 lakh
Hyderabad: The city cyber crime unit (CCU) cops helped a cyberfraud victim get back `1.18 lakh which he had lost to a scamster. According to the CCU police, the victim was responding to a call from the fraudster who offered to increase the credit card limit and collected his details. The fraudster instructed the victim to install an APK file sent via WhatsApp. When the victim did so, an amount of `1,18,196 was debited from his credit card. The victim approached the police station on Wednesday following which the NCRP team of the CCU removed the malware from the victims device, cybercrime DCP Dara Kavitha said. The investigation revealed that the debited amount was used for purchases on an ecommerce website. Notices were sent to the authorities to block the funds. The merchant refunded the total amount to the victims credit card without a court order, the DCP said. The DCP has asked the people not to install any APK files forwarded or sent through WhatsApp as the fraudsters use it to steal data. Never respond to emails and embedded APK file links in messages and calls asking you to update or verify KYC documents pending. Never share your data over the phone or directly with strangers. Victims of such cyber frauds can report immediately at 1930 or http://cybercrime.gov.in, Kavitha added.
Forced by CPM, EP Jayarajan gives Palakkad bypoll candidate Sarin five-star review
PALAKKAD: Presumably egged on by the party, CPM stalwart E P Jayarajan on Thursday dashed to Palakkad, where the by-election is scheduled for November 20, and waxed eloquent on the virtues of LDF candidate P Sarin , a day after his reported autobiography landed him and the party in trouble on polling day in Wayanad and Chelakkara. Sarin, who quit a revered and lucrative profession to dedicate himself to serving the public, is an excellent candidate, Jayarajan said in a speech that bordered on flattery during the campaign. Born into a middle-class peasant family, Sarin rose to become a doctor by dint of sheer talent and hard work. He held a high-ranking job in the government, but continued to stay connected with the people. Though he didnt formally embrace left politics, he possessed a left-leaning mindset, and always supported farmers and workers, he said. Its rare for someone with such potential to make money in any field to abandon all of that for politics, Jayarajan said. The CPM has chosen the most capable, deserving, and young candidate for the Palakkad constituency, he added. The PDF version of the book, Kattan Chayayum Parippu Vadayum - Oru Communistinte Jeevitham, attributed to Jayarajan, which was widely circulated on Wednesday, has uncharitable reference to Sarins candidature. However, the CPM central committee member said, Just as a doctor takes care of a patient, Sarin seeks to address and heal the unhealthy tendencies present in the society to create a new Palakkad, Jayarajan said. Asked about the controversy over his autobiography, Jayarajan said he suspected a conspiracy behind it. Its still work in progress, and I havent entrusted any publisher, he added. Jayarajan said he has filed a police complaint, and was waiting for the investigation to get over.
BCCI To Spring Shami Surprise In BGT After Just 2 Ranji Innings: Report
Indian team could get the Mohammed Shami boost during the challenging Australia tour after the pace-bowling stalwart made an impressive comeback from injury by grabbing four wickets in a Ranji Trophy match
Shami shines in comback Ranji match, fuels hopes for Border Gavaskar Trophy
New Delhi: he beleaguered Indian team could get the Mohammed Shami boost during the challenging Australia tour after the pace-bowling stalwart made an impressive comeback from injury by grabbing four wickets in a Ranji Trophy match on Thursday. Playing his first red-ball game in more than a year, Shami, who represents Bengal, bowled four spells across 57 overs in Madhya Pradesh's first innings and returned with figures of 19-4-54-4. His victims included MP skipper Shubham Sharma, all-rounder Saransh Jain and two tail-enders, with three of the four batters being bowled while one edged to keeper Wriddhiman Saha. While this is great news for the Indian team, it is understood that the national selection committee will look at how his body holds up in the second innings as well and whether there is any swelling or pain at the end of the contest, being played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. If he ticks all the boxes, it is almost assured that he will join forces with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah before the second Test, which will be a day/night affair. The Ranji Trophy match ends on November 16 and he could join the squad before the first Test, beginning in Perth on November 22, but that could be cutting it too fine. In case Shami goes, he will get to play a two-day day/night practice game against Prime Minister's XI. More than the wickets he took on Thursday, the team management and national selection committee along with the BCCI's Sports Science & Medical Team want to check how his body holds up. Shami, who has not played a competitive game after the ODI World Cup final on November 19 last year, had undergone an ankle surgery. Just when he was about to return for the three-Test series against New Zealand, the senior fast bowler developed a swelling in his knee delaying his comeback. It is understood that despite naming an 18-member squad for Australia, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee and the team management would include Shami the moment the BCCI's head of Medical and Sports Science team, Dr Nitin Patel, declares him fit. A Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) source told PTI that national selection committee member Ajay Ratra had specifically come along with NCA medical team head Patel to watch Shami bowl. Their feedback will be sent to chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir before a final call is taken. A BCCI source said, Obviously, Shami was asked to play this game keeping in mind that the next round of Ranji Trophy will only start on January 23 after the Test season is over. So, the selectors had only one match to check his fitness. He has bowled 19 overs in multiple spells and fielded for most part of the 57 overs. He bowled 90 dot balls. But he will again have to bowl and field (in the second innings). Suppose he bowls another 15 to 18 overs in the second innings, that's a very decent amount of overs bowled. But the biggest test would be whether he again feels any pain after four days. If the NCA medical team green-lights his fitness, obviously he will join before the second Test, the BCCI source added.
Predictability dims interest in Wayanad; Chelakkara dull too
KALPETTA/THRISSUR: The high-decibel campaign featuring national political stalwarts failed to buoy up voters in the high-profile Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is seeking mandate, that went to a by-election along with Chelakkara assembly constituency in the state on Wednesday. Poll percentage dropped by nearly 8% in Wayanad with only 64.72% voters turning up this time. The figure was 72.92% in the 2024 general election. Chelakkara recorded a voter turnout of 72.51% this time, compared to 77.40% in 2021. The polling passed off peacefully in both constituencies. Polling for the Palakkad bypoll is scheduled for November 20. Normally, by-elections witness heavy polling in the state as leaders and workers of all major fronts across the state zero in on a handful of constituencies that go to polls, and leave no stone unturned to ensure that all their votes are cast. But defying the tradition and expectations, voters coldshouldered the calls by parties this time. The fall in voter turnout in Wayanad has perplexed political leaders as well as poll pundits. That too when Priyanka, in a departure from the practice of her brother Rahul Gandhi who represented the seat earlier, spent several days in the constituency and addressed corner meetings even in remote areas of the hilly terrain. Laxity on the part of the voters over a predictable outcome in the clash between unequal rivals might have been the main reason for the sharp fall in voting percentage, poll experts feel. Added to this is the indifference triggered by the second election in a gap of less than six months. When Rahul contested from Wayanad for the first time in 2019, the poll percentage was 80.33, and his majority 4,31,770 votes. When he sought reelection in 2024, the voting percentage dropped to 72.92, and his margin to 3,64,422. The sharp fall in voting has cast a pall over the Congress camp, which was aiming to increase Priyankas victory margin to record levels. They take solace in the thought that the LDF and BJP votes did not poll owing to the hopeless situation their candidates were in in Wayanad. Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi wrap up Wayanad by-election campaign 'Want to serve Wayanad, just like mother looks after children': Priyanka Gandhi Priyanka has no reason to worry, says Leader of Oppn Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said Priyanka has no reason to worry about the poll outcome. The fall in polling percentage will not affect her in any way, he asserted. However, the LDF claims vote loss for the UDF. The polling progressed at a slow pace throughout the day. Several voters had come from even Gulf countries to cast their votes last time. But the spirit was lagging this time. The number of total voters in Wayanad LS constituency that spans over seven assembly segments -- Sultan Bathery, Mananthavady, Kalpetta, Thiruvambady, Ernad, Wandoor and Nilambur - is 14,71,742. In Chelakkara, the polling started at a slow pace, but picked up momentum by noon. Long queues were visible in half of the booths by evening. Arrangements set, Wayanad & Chelakkara ready for polling Wayanad bypoll: Landslide survivors cast votes amid tears
BENGALURU: It wouldnt be wrong to call Bengaluru a city of book lovers, with several bookshops scattered across the city seeing throngs of people every weekend. This thriving book scene has both second-hand and new releases of all genres on offer for bibliophiles, but a bookshop dedicated to antique and collectable books is unheard of. It is difficult to find good rare books in India. In fact, the best rare books, especially on topics about India, are always easier to find in the UK or US, says VR Ferose, a San Francisco-based technologist of Bengaluru origin, and ardent bibliophile who seeks to change that with a dedicated collectable bookstore. A brainchild of Ferose and book collector-author Pradeep Sebastian the Antiquarian Bookworm will open on November 18 within the premises of the already beloved bibliophile haunt The Bookworm, on Church Street. A collection of around 2,000 rare books, including signed modern classics, finely printed letterpress books, illustrated books, books about books and rare South Asian books, will be on offer. There are only three or four antiquarian/rare bookshops in India, and this will be the first of its kind in Bengaluru. Today, in India, if you want to collect, you have to mostly look to online international rare book shops where you can read descriptions of the books but not see and handle them for yourself, says Sebastian. He continues, The Antiquarian Bookworm will give book lovers a chance to be in physical contact with these collectable editions. We want to give bibliophiles and book collectors in Bengaluru an opportunity to come and handle these rare and beautiful books and to nourish and fuel their desire to collect. According to Ferose, the desire to collect books is like the desire to collect art. He says, Sitting here in Silicon Valley in the midst of technological evolution and an increasingly digital world, I see a lot of people leaning towards more analogue things. There is beauty in the physical and tactile feel of a book that will give you a deeper sense of history than anything else. If you see art as a collectable, rare books are an accessible form of that. To ensure that more people can access them, the duo has ensured that the books will be available at a large range of prices. We want to have rare books accessible to people at very reasonable prices the range starts from `1,000 but can go up to `10 lakh, says Ferose. If you are unsure about book collecting but curious to see what antique books are all about, you can drop by to check out a few special editions from Sebastian and Feroses collection. Books on display will include those signed by stalwarts like BR Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Swami Vivekananda, John F Kennedy and several Nobel laureates. There is a presentation copy of a book that Gandhi gave to Tagore, and another that Tagore gave to Gandhi. There is just one copy in the world, and I think people should see them, so Im going to keep them in the store so people have access to see it and feel it, says Ferose. Krishna Gowda, the owner of Bookworm, expects a positive response from Bengalureans. Weve noticed that there is a good demand for rare, fine and signed books, but very few bookshops cater to these increasing demands. In my experience, Bengalurus readers always support brick-and-mortar bookshops, he says.
Amit Shah calls MVA Aurangzeb fan club
Mumbai :Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday described the opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance as Aurangzeb fan club. Addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Dhule, the BJP stalwart claimed Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has forgotten the principles of his father, Bal Thackeray. Mr. Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda are holding multiple rallies across the state. While Mr. Shah is also set to address rallies in Chalisgaon and Jintur, Mr. Nadda is campaigning in Mumbai South, Shirdi and Ahmednagar. Addressing a public rally in support of Jaykumar Rawal in Sindkheda constituency of Dhule district, Mr Shah said that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was in an alliance with parties which had opposed the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya Uddhavji has forgotten all the principles of Balasaheb Thackeray for getting power. Uddhav Babu, you are sitting with those who objected to the renaming of Auranagabad as Sambhaji Nagar. You are sitting with those who had opposed the construction of the Ram Temple, triple talaq and abrogation of the Article 370. The MVA alliance is the Aurangzeb fan club, while the Mahayuti alliance is following the path of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar, the senior BJP leader said. The BJP led Mahayuti the alliance which also includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP will take on the Maha Vikas Aghadi an alliance of Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in the Maharashtra assembly election, which will take place on November 20. The Senior BJP leader said that the credibility of the MVAs promises has fallen below the abyss, whereas the people of Maharashtra have faith in the promises of Mahayuti. The Union home minister also held a public rally for the party candidate Meghna Sakore Bordikar in Parbhani's Jintur, where he accused the MVA leaders of obstructing development. While the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra respected heritage along with the welfare of women, farmers and youth, the MVA, which was mired in corruption, created obstacles in development work, he said. Taking a dig at senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Shah said that Congress would fail to make a mark in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. Soniaji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times, and 20 times the plane crashed. Now again, an attempt is being made to land it for the 21st time in Maharashtra. Sonia ji, this plane is sure to crash for the 21st time, he said. BJP National President and Union minister Nadda addressed a professional meet of lawyers, doctors, engineers, and CAs in south Mumbai. Accusing the Congress leaders of not knowing the realities of rural India, Mr Nadda said that the Congress leaders did not understand the importance of Ujjwala Yojana as they are born with golden spoons. 11 crore people in the country have been provided gas connections and gas stoves, he said. Taking a swipe at Uddhav Thackeray, the BJP national president also said that earlier people used to leave Mumbai due fear of Shiv Sena founder late Balasaheb Thackeray, now his son and former Chief Minister Uddhav has gone and sat in the lap of Congress. He also accused the MVA for stalling the development projects in Maharashtra. The previous MVA government not only applied brakes but also took the state in reverse gear, Mr. Nadda said. He also campaigned in Shirdi Assembly constituency, which falls in drought-hit Ahmednagar district, for Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil.
Art 370 won't be restored even if Indira returns: Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will not be restored even if Congress stalwart and late PM Indira Gandhi comes down from heaven.
Tamil Nadu cyber crime cops nab six who scammed Madurai man out of Rs 96.5 lakh
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu cyber crime police on Wednesday said they have arrested six accused in a case where a Madurai native was scammed of Rs 96.5 lakh after responding to a fake advertisement on WhatsApp promoting an international share-trading business opportunity. Preliminary inquiries indicated that these individuals were involved in cyber offences in multiple states including Karnataka, West Bengal, Delhi and various regions in Tamil Nadu. An official statement said that the victim had transferred funds across multiple bank accounts and eventually realised that he had been deceived when the promised returns were not provided after which he lodged a complaint with the Madurai District Cyber Crime Police Station for legal action and recovery of the lost amount. A special team investigating the case initially froze Rs 38.28 lakh in various bank accounts linked to the suspects. Further investigations showed that Rs 22 lakh of the scammed money was transferred to two accounts of one S Seeni Mohamed from Alwar Thoppu, Thennur, Trichy. Further analysis revealed that he had withdrawn the cash via cheque from his bank accounts. The Cyber Crime Police have frozen his accounts and the special team arrested the accused. Cops found that under the direction of an individual named L Ibrahim from Uraiyur, Trichy and for a commission amount, A Mohamed Sabeer, A Mohamed Riyaz from Dhana Rathinam Nagar, Trichy, L Mohamed Azharudeen from Uraiyur, Trichy and Mohamed Marzuk from Ayyampettai, Thanjavur had executed the crime. Cops said that the accused withdrew the scammed cash and gave it to the persons who brought the code word received on their WhatsApp. This money was then transferred to other bank accounts with the accused receiving a commission of Rs 1,000 for every Rs 1 lakh transferred. The special team went to Trichy and Thanjavur and arrested the accused and seized cell phones, SIM cards, bank account books and ATM cards used in the crime. The investigation revealed that the suspects had utilized multiple bank accounts, laundering approximately Rs 1 crore from the public and transferring it to various accounts through this method.
Best VPN for Mac: Reviews and buying advice for Mac users
Macworld If you are concerned about your privacy and security online using a VPN could give you some reassurance. Apple provides various measures in macOS that make Macs more secure , but if you want to ensure that the connection between your Mac and the internet is protected, rather than the computer itself, you need a VPN. Using a VPN essentially makes you invisible on the webyour data is encrypted, your IP address is hidden, and you can even make it look like you are surfing from another country. This latter reason is the main reason many people use a VPN: they want to access services that are locked to a particular region, such as accessing U.S. Netflix from the U.K or BBC iPlayer from the U.S. If you are looking for a VPN to protect your privacy and security online, and to grant you a way to access content as if you are in a different country, we are here to help. There are a lot of VPN providers vying for your business, which can make finding the best one to suit your needs difficult. To help you sort out the right provider for you, weve committed to extensive research and testing of VPN services that cater to Mac owners in our guide to the top VPN services for Mac. Updated: November 2024 with a review of Nortons Ultra VPN . PROMOTION Black Friday Deal: Up to 74% off NordVPN + 3 extra months! Upgrade your online security and privacy with NordVPN. Shield your online traffic. Choose from 5,800+ global servers for blazing speeds. Block web trackers, annoying ads, and unsafe websites. Try NordVPN risk free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get the Deal Best VPNs for Mac: Reviewed & Ranked Our top choice right now is NordVPN , which we feel stands out in many areas, from speed and privacy to unblocking and ease of use. Get NordVPN here Below you will find the VPN services for Mac that we recommend based on our tests. Most of these will cost less than $3/3 per month if you sign up for a one- or two-year deal. However, once the deal period ends the price often jumps, so its worth setting a reminder to shop around a month before your subscription runs out so you can search for a better deal, alternatively, you could cancel and sign up with another email address. You may be able to save money if you take a look at our round-up of VPN deals . ProtonVPN has a free tier . All of these VPNs will also work on your iPhone and iPad as well, and many with Apple TV, but you might want to check out our separate guides to the best VPNs for iPhone and best VPNs for iPad . 1. NordVPN Pros Easy to use Impressive WireGuard speeds Lots of servers Cons Two separate apps can be confusing Price When Reviewed: Basic plan from $3.59 a month for two years + 3 free months. Usually $12.99. Best Prices Today: $2.99 at NordVPN (Monthly) 5,300 servers 10 simultaneous connections NordVPN is one of the biggest and best-known VPN services. Its a fully featured VPN option thats secure, easy to use, and unbelievably fast compared to its competitors. There are cheaper options, with unlimited connections and more in-depth VPN features, but NordVPN is our top choice right now because it stands out in so many areas, from speed and privacy to unblocking and ease of use. Nord has an up-to-date independent audit. It also has specialty servers for specific purposes. There are more than 5,300 servers (none of which are virtual) available across 60 countries, which sounds great. You probably only care about the servers where you want to unblock content, but the more servers the better as it means you have a better chance of finding one thats not overloaded. You wont have to figure out which one to choose thanks to the handy Quick connect feature that picks the server best suited to your needs. Connections are fast and reliable, and NordVPN unblocks popular streaming services around the world including Netflix and BBC iPlayer. You can connect up to six devices simultaneously including your Apple TV. Nord has added support for the faster WireGuard protocol in NordLynx, making it one of the fastest VPN services out there. However, its only available on the IKE version of the app, which only offers a permanently enabled kill switch. To have more control, youll need to download the OpenVPN version, albeit with slightly slower speeds. Nord frequently has deals on offer that save money on the usual monthly price if you take advantage of the two-year plan . NordVPN offers three tiers: Standard, Plus and Ultimate. You can get Plus features (data breach scanner and password manager) or the Ultimate tier adds cloud storage and insurance options. Prices change all the time, so take a look at the prices and plans at NordVPN.com . Read our full NordVPN review 2. ExpressVPN Pros Easy-to-use desktop program Broad device support Excellent speeds Cons ExpressVPNs team is largely anonymous Expensive Price When Reviewed: From $6.67 a month for one year + 3 free months. Usually $12.95 a month.. Best Prices Today: $6.67 at ExpressVPN (Monthly) 2,000 servers 8 simultaneous connections If you want to circumnavigate geoblocking to get access to content not available where you live, protect your data while browsing the web from a public network, and keep your web browsing habits private, ExpressVPN, with its server locations across 105 countries, can do just about all of this with two or three clicks. ExpressVPN is remarkably easy to use, but if you have any difficulties the 24-hour live chat means you can be connected to a real human to discuss issues within minutes. There are native apps on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Android and Windows. Plus you can use it on eight devices at once (the limit was five previously). Like all VPNs there is some speed loss because you are routing via a server in another country, but ExpressVPN does well to mitigate this, dropping less than 13% of download speed in our testing. NordVPN remains faster with a 12% loss in our tests, but ExpressVPNs 13% is still better than most. ExpressVPN offers no fewer than six different choices for protocol. Lightway, the companys own option, is rapid. For improved compatibility you can switch to another version of Lightway or OpenVPN things slowed down with 24% of speed loss with the latter. Theres no Malware protection with ExpressVPN, but you can install a password manager called ExpressVPN Keys. The company is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, so its free from the majority of intelligence-sharing agencies jurisdiction. While it also operates a no-log policy, it doesnt have PureVPNs always-on audit process, but it undergoes audits each year. ExpressVPNs more expensive than many of its contemporaries and doesnt allow access from unlimited devices (just eight). But you get a solid, speedy connection with minimal fuss, and you dont have to tie-in for a two-year deal to get the best value. That latter point is important because VPN legislation can change regularly. See ExpressVPN subscription plans here . Read our full ExpressVPN review 3. ProtonVPN Pros Simple to use Free plan Great speed Cons Setup on macOS was a little fiddly Price When Reviewed: From $4.49 a month for two years. Usually $9.99 a month. Best Prices Today: $4.49 at Proton Technologies (Monthly) 6,500+ servers in 100+ countries (access servers in 5 countries on free plan, on one device) 10 simultaneous connections ProtonVPN s free tier of membership helps to set Proton VPN apart from some of its rivals. Its naturally limited, with US, Japan, and Netherlands as the server locations and some speed drop but its still pretty usable If you pay for the service it offers a sleek interface, impressive connection speeds and just about enough features to improve your day-to-day web experience without throwing too many complex concepts at new users. Proton VPN Plus offers a host of features, including an ad and tracker blocker and speed of up to 10 Gbps, as well as a 10-device limit. Theres Port Forwarding for downloads and gaming, too, as well as a Kill Switch for disconnecting should the VPN drop out. Some VPN services offer features like dark web data notifications. Proton VPN sticks to the basics and does so very well. The companys no-logs policy confirms it doesnt track sites, IP addresses, communications, or session lengths, nor does it track location-based information. Proton is Swiss-based, and only Swiss court orders can request data from the company, but since it doesnt log data theres very little it can offer to law enforcement. For the privacy-minded, Secure Core, routes traffic through one of the companys Secure servers, minimizing the potential of a data leak. These secure servers are owned by Proton and are located in more than 90 countries. Proton VPN does increase latency, but only by about 29% in our testing on a modest 60 Mbps broadband. In fact, its only about 7% slower when downloading and 5.5% slower when uploading, making it one of the slicker VPNs weve tested. In terms of included VPN protocols, Smart will be ideal for most users, automatically setting the right protocol for your current usage, but WireGuard, WireGuard (TCP), IKEv2 and Stealth are also offered. Proton VPN is an easy recommendation both for new and experienced users. Read our full ProtonVPN review 4. Private Internet Access Pros Lots of servers Fast WireGuard speeds Split tunneling works well Unblocks BBC iPlayer Cons Clunky Mac app Based within 14-eyes Price When Reviewed: From $2.19 a month for two years + 2 free months. Usually $11.99 a month. Best Prices Today: $2.19 at Private Internet Access (Monthly) 35,000+ servers, 91 countries Unlimited connections Private Internet Access (PIA) is a powerful VPN designed for savvy users, offering power user tools and features such as custom DNS, connection rules, split tunnelling, and more at a lower cost than many competitors. The PIA Mac app offers pretty much everything its Microsoft counterpart does. The app can be used on any device and offers servers in 91 countries. In my testing, the auto setting did a good job of picking servers that balanced speed and privacy. The main window provides information on performance graphs, download and upload speeds, and quick settings for tools like Light Mode, Port Forwarding, and LAN connections. While you can use PIA for getting around geoblocked content on your streaming services, PIA is more privacy-focused than other VPNs, with features like the Advanced Kill Switch, Split Tunnelling, port forwarding, and Multi-Hop server obfuscation. PIA also offers customizable features like automation setup and DNS options. Private Internet Access cant beat the speeds of NordVPN and Surfshark, and its stablemate CyberGhost VPN offers more impressive speeds, but at the cost of some power features. In our testing, we saw a reasonable drop of around 8% on Mac while using the PIA VPN. Upload speeds dropped considerably by around 25%, which may be an issue if you do a lot of uploading. Its zero-log policy has been verified by Deloitte Audit Romania. Despite inconsistent speeds, Private Internet Access is a great VPN for all budgets with a wealth of features for privacy-inclined users. Read our full Private Internet Access review 5. Surfshark Pros Fast WireGuard speeds Unlimited devices and connections Easy to use Cons Kill switch cant be customised Expensive to renew Price When Reviewed: Starter plan from $1.99 a month for two years + 4 free months. Usually $15.45 a month. Best Prices Today: $1.99 at Surfshark (Monthly) 3,200 servers in 100 countries Unlimited simultaneous connections Surfshark is a great-value VPN that offers quite a lot features beyond the core VPN service for a low monthly price. SurfShark has more than 3,000 servers spread across 100 countries, making its network one of the widest and most varied of any VPN, Its apps are easy to use and it reliably unblocks streaming services such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. Its missing the specialty servers offered by rivals such as NordVPN , who shares the same parent company, though. Connection speeds are very impressive, and thats thanks to the use of the WireGuard protocol. You really wont notice any slowdown in your internet speed when Surfshark is running, so long as you have WireGuard selected and arent using servers the other side of the globe. The company has upgraded all its servers so they run entirely in RAM, just like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Running servers on RAM is better for privacy as data isnt written to a hard drive. Its also a member of the VPN Trust Initiative , while two-factor authentication (2FA) is a feature few VPN services offer. Being run from the Netherlands also means this is a privacy-friendly option. The other reason to consider Surfshark is because it undercuts almost all of its rivals on price, yet doesnt place any limit on the number of devices you can use simultaneously. Unfortunately, it can be pricy to renew once your initial contract runs out. You can install and use it across many devices including your Mac, PC, Android and iOS devices, as well as browsers. It also supports multiple protocols (although OpenVPN is a little slower than wed like) and excellent encryption, as well as a privacy-minded no-logs policy thats regularly audited Theres a kill switch and a Multi-Hop feature that routes your connection via two VPN servers for an extra layer of protection. However, theres no GPS spoofing or split tunneling on the Mac (the latter being very uncommon on Macs anyway). SurfShark offers three tiers of features at varying price points. The most basic option, aptly named SurfShark Starter, offers VPN functionality as well as an ad blocker and the option to generate a proxy email address and personal details for sites you dont feel comfortable about giving your information to. SurfShark One adds email and payment detail breach alerts, as well as personal data security reports, antivirus and other malware protection, while the One+ plan adds data removal from company databases and people search sites. In addition to the VPN there are Alert, Search or Antivirus packages, that are available for an extra cost. Just like most VPNs SurfShark offers discounted pricing if you sign up for two years, with the prices changing all the time. Just beware that at the end of the period the price will increase unless you cancel. Sign up to Surfshark here. Read our full Surfshark review 6. ClearVPN Pros Nice design. Great for getting around geo-blocks. Cons Lacks some features like split tunneling. Not the fastest. Price When Reviewed: Three day trial. Currently $49.99 a year, usually $119.88 a year ($9.99 a month). Best Prices Today: $44.99 at MacPaw (Monthly) More than 50 servers Six device limit MacPaws ClearVPN service is a VPN that lacks many more advanced features offered by its rivals, but on the other hand, its one of the easiest to use. With a nice UI and easy-to-use features its thoughtfully designed for VPN newcomers. It really is as simple as hitting a button to connect. In the settings are options to block ads, keep ClearVPN in the dock, and a Kill Switch so that you can cut traffic from your device if the connection to the VPN is broken. Its all pretty basic stuff, but its offered in such an easy-to-use way that its hard not to appreciate the simplicity. There are also handy keyboard shortcuts to move around the app. There are more than 50 servers, which sounds like a lot, but its dwarfed by many rivals to the tune of thousands of servers. That means your choices are limited, but at least ClearVPN lets you filter between Optimal Location or jumping straight to something like Disney Plus US or UK. One of the more common power user features for VPNs is split tunneling, which lets some traffic go through the VPN while some goes around it. Thats not supported here. Sadly, MacPaws VPN speeds also need some work. We saw considerable speed drops across multiple servers even closer ones. We saw drops of around 20 to 30 percent in download speed, and around 50 percent for upload speed. Its still fast enough to use Netflix, but its slower than the majority of alternatives out there. Most VPN companies use external auditors to verify that theyre not recording user or session data, but ClearVPN hasnt undergone one at the time of writing. This shouldnt mean anything untoward as the company is headquartered in Ukraine, which falls outside of various surveillance alliances, so it cant be asked to share your data. ClearVPN is priced affordably, but prices and the deals on offer change all the time with VPNs. Look out for low monthly prices that dont lock you in for too long. Theres a six-device limit. If youre new to using a VPN service, ClearVPN makes a compelling case to be your first choice, and stress-free access to Netflix around the globe, its a great starter option. Still, the speed drop and lack of common features like split tunneling likely mean power users should look elsewhere. You can save money by paying for the first year up front, but you can also pay monthly. See full ClearVPN pricing here . Read our full ClearVPN review 7. PureVPN Pros Easy to use Works on multiple devices, including iPhone Additional power user features Cons Obtuse pricing model. Virtual server locations feel like a worry.ureVPN caused many websites to question whether we were human Price When Reviewed: From $3.99 a month for one year + 4 free months. Usually $12.45 a month. A 5 year deal is available from $2.16 a month. Best Prices Today: $3.99 at PureVPN (Monthly) 6,500 servers, 78 countries 10 simultaneous connections If youre looking for a flexible VPN service that will get around geoblocking and is easy to use, PureVPN is well worth a look. The basic plan includes the VPN service and nothing more, but you can add a Password Manager and File Encryption tools in the Plus plan. The Max plan adds a Digital Privacy Manager that requests your records be scrubbed by data brokers, blocks web trackers, and recommends ways to maximize your privacy. Whichever plan you opt for youll be able to connect 10 devices at once. PureVPN will run on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV, and is easy to use on each to let you connect to over six thousand servers. As far as getting around geo-blocks, we found PureVPN to be as easy as any other service to use. Select a location, load your streaming service or app of choice, and youre off. PureVPN is registered in the British Virgin Islands, which is more privacy-friendly than Hong Kong where it operated previously. PureVPN offers one of the more impressive no-logging policies, with an ongoing always-on audit process whereby an auditor can request confirmation of that policy at any time. PureVPN has been winding down its virtual servers, of which it has less control. There are still 23 such servers, but PureVPN is transparent about which servers are virtual and which are physical you can see a small v next to each virtual server on the PureVPN website . At the time of writing PureVPN is offering more than a whopping 80% off its plans if you sign up for 24 months. Two years is a long time in the world of VPNs, but at least means the full monthly pricing wont kick in twelve months time. See PureVPN offers here . Read our full PureVPN review 8. CyberGhost Pros Simple to use Decent speeds Plenty of servers Cons Two-year plans are much cheaper Lacking some power user features Price When Reviewed: $2.19 a month for two years + 2 free months. Usually $12.99 a month. Best Prices Today: $2.19 at CyberGhost (Monthly) 11,000+ servers in 100 countries 7 simultaneous connections CyberGhost is a user-friendly app that connects to numerous servers worldwide, making it ideal for streaming Netflix from different countries and routing traffic away from untrustworthy open Wi-Fi networks. It offers core features like kill switch support, split tunnelling, and no bandwidth restrictions. CyberGhosts no-logging audit history is thorough, and there is a 45-day free trial available. CyberGhost apps can be downloaded for various platforms, including Chrome extension and game consoles (we tested on Mac and iPhone). The app offers a simple click and go connection process, with a list of server nations and multiple locations. Encryption is standard across servers, and split tunnelling prioritizes traffic where needed. An automated kill switch can cut connections if the VPN drops out, while Block content blocks DNS domains for ads, trackers, and malware. The app does not offer anything like Proton VPNs Secure Core or additional features like a Password Manager, but subscription tiers are based on adding a dedicated IP address. The VPN has over 9,000 servers located in over 100 countries, with plans to expand in South America and Asia in late 2023. CyberGhost VPN has an impressive no-logs policy, meaning no one can access records of your activity while connected to the VPN. The app does not offer the Dark Web monitor offered by NordVPN, but it does have an automated kill switch to cut connections if the VPN drops out. The DNS blocking feature is easy to use but doesnt allow you to choose what to block. CyberGhost offers a compelling package with just one main plan and a 45-day money-back guarantee. Its an excellent VPN for newcomers, with impressive audits, an array of servers, decent speeds, and easy-to-use apps. Read our full CyberGhost review 9. Norton Ultra VPN Pros Antivirus protections Cloud Backup and Password Manager Email tracking quarantine Cons Slower than rival VPNs Inflexible payment options Price When Reviewed: First year is from $39.99 Norton Secure VPN; $49.99 Norton Ultra VPN; $59.99 Norton Ultra VPN Plus. Renews at a higher price of $79.99/$109.99/$129.99. Best Prices Today: $49.99 at Norton (first year) Servers in 32 countries Norton has decades of experience protecting devices from cyber threats (read our review of Norton 360), but what or its VPN? Nortons VPN plans are, outside of the basic tier, tied into its security software to help offer real-time protection from bad actors. It comes with a password manager, dark web monitor, and cloud storage, but the VPN side of things is a little lacking. Perhaps its from testing so many of the best VPN services that weve grown used to a certain set of non-negotiables. Chief among them is browser extension options to allow for quick switching, but at the time of writing, theres no such offering from Norton. Still, if youre looking for real-time protection it remains a good security-focused option, but with geoblocking being inconsistent in our testing, you might want to look elsewhere for your international Netflix fix. Nortons VPN does include plenty of accoutrements that other VPNs either dont have or charge extra for. You can install the app on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and all three platforms have apps that work well and run nicely in the background. Norton offers Browser Protection, which scans sites as you browse. Norton also scans files before they land on your device. This worked well in testing, with barely added any additional time to the length of downloads. Theres a password manager, but its tied to the middle subscription tier and above. One thing that was interesting was how it monitors trackers on emails. As a journalist, I receive a lot of press releases and pitches, and while Ive always assumed many of them use some kind of tracking to see when theyre opened, Norton offered to quarantine so many that I was quite taken aback. VPNs naturally decrease your internet speeds as your signal is fired across the globe, and Norton has servers in 32 countries a steep drop from the 111 in NordVPNs portfolio but it does offer four protocols to choose from. IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard are pretty commonly found across the board of rivals, but Norton has its own Mimic protocol which is intended to be ideal for unblocking international streaming services. Sadly, testing on a 70 Mbps connection saw a consistent speed drop-off. As for Mimic, Nortons own VPN protocol, I was disappointed to find some international streaming services simply werent able to be unblocked with it. Norton clarified that Mimic is specifically designed for customers with special use cases who are unable to use WireGuard. We did have more luck with the more standardized protocols. VPNs worth their salt should always focus on privacy as their primary concern, and Norton does a good job, having undergone an audit from VerSprite, a security firm. Its not a bad VPN, and if youre looking for an option that packs a whole host of cyber-security tools into one easy-to-use package, its a great option. Its disappointing that there is only a pay yearly option, where other VPNs have the option to pay monthly. Added to that is a steep jump in price for the second year. See full Norton Ultra VPN pricing here Read our full Norton Ultra VPN review 10. FastestVPN Pros Affordable pricing Good speeds 10 simultaneous connections Cons Limited compared to the Windows app Limited VPN protocol options Price When Reviewed: Lifetime special deal: $40, usually $600 Best Prices Today: $40 at FastestVPN (Lifetime payment) 800+ servers in 49+ countries 10 simultaneous connections This easy-to-use, attractive, and uncomplicated app is a great option for VPN newbs. In addition to its straightforward and uncluttered design, FastestVPN also offers good speeds and a sufficiently expansive network. Its icing on the cake that its privacy policy is easy to understand and makes all the right promises. In our tests, FastestVPN maintained about 30 percent of the base speed across five locations on multiple test days, although there were some weak spots in Asia and Australia. Despite its name its not the fastest VPN, but FastestVPN does make the right privacy promises in a way thats easy to understand. Read our full FastestVPN review 11. Hide.me Pros Fast WireGuard speeds Dedicated streaming servers Impressive free tier Only VPN that offers Split Tunnelling in Big Sur and beyond Cons Slightly clunky UI No recent independent audit Premium plans are expensive Price When Reviewed: From $2.59 a month for 1 years + 3 free months. Usually $9.95 a month. Best Prices Today: $2.59 at Hide.Me (Monthly) 2,600+ servers in 90 countries 10 simultaneous connections Hide.me is another VPN service that has improved considerably in recent years. As well as offering a completely free version (which none of its rivals here do), it has also added WireGuard, which is considerably faster than other encryption protocols. Other key features include a customizable kill switch and split tunneling. Hide.me is the only VPN to offer Split Tunnelling in macOS. They state on their website: hide.me VPN for macOS supports split tunneling. You can configure it in the clients settings. Hide.me also offers Stealth Guard, which stops selected apps from running without the security of a VPN connection. It can unblock Netflix and allows you to access BBC iPlayer from outside the UK. Theres also solid device support, with up to 10 simultaneous connections permitted. Malaysia-based, in recent years it has expanded the number of servers and doubled the number of countries it covers. Unfortunately, the third-party audit hasnt been updated since 2015 However, the user interface on Mac is a bit clunky, and were still waiting for an update to the 2015 no-logs policy certification. Read our full hide.me VPN review 12. VyprVPN Pros Fast WireGuard speeds Very easy to use Unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer Low starting price Cons Comparatively few servers Not clear which servers are virtual Patchy support experience Price When Reviewed: From $3 a month for two years. Usually $10 a month. Best Prices Today: $3 at VyprVPN (Monthly) 70 servers 5 simultaneous connection VyprVPN offers everything most people are looking for in a VPN, without needing to spend much money. You get fast WireGuard speeds, alongside separate protocols focused on reliability, anti-censorship and ease of use. Its also excellent at unblocking geo-restricted content, whether thats local versions of Netflix or BBC iPlayer & ITV Hub from outside the UK. Premium features such as split tunneling and a kill switch are here too, even if the latter cant be customised. VyprVPNs no-logs policy has been independently audited, and the service adheres to a strict Privacy Policy from parent company Golden Frog. More than 700 servers in over 70 countries should be plenty for most people, although theres often only one per country. Its also not clear which of these are physical and virtual. Nonetheless, its still speedy, reliable and affordable. See full VyprVPN pricing here Read our full VyprVPN review 13. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN (Mac) Pros Easy to use and understand Supports WireGuard protocol Clear privacy policy Cons Not a lot of features Other VPNs have more anonymity features Price When Reviewed: $3.33 a month for 1 device ($39.99 a year) Best Prices Today: $3.33 at Malwarebytes (Monthly) More than 245 servers 32 countries Malwarebytes, probably best known for antivirus software and advice, also offers a standalone VPN service called Malwarebytes Privacy . Its an easy to use app with the right kind of privacy promises as youd expect from a respected name in security based in the U.S. In our tests Malwarebytes was a mid-tier performer in terms of speeds, but it should be good enough for most casual users. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN does a good job. See full Maywarebytes pricing here Read our full Malwarebytes Privacy VPN (Mac) review Best Free VPNs for Mac There are also a number of free VPNs available, but beware that some severely restrict which servers (and therefore countries) you can connect to and the amount of data you can download through those servers. You may be able to save money if you take a look at our round-up of VPN deals . Its also important to read the terms and conditions before using a free VPN, as in rare cases they sell your data to third parties to offset the cost of you using it without paying. Its a bigger problem on iPhones and Android where unscrupulous companies try to cash in on the VPN gold rush and offer up poorly put together apps. Stick with our recommendations and youll be safe from these, though. Do Macs need a VPN? There is a big question. Do Mac users even need a VPN? Since Apple introduced iOS 15 and macOS Monterey in 2021 the company has offered a handy private relay service. iCloud Private Relay acts a bit like a VPN because it encrypts your web-browsing traffic and sends it through a relay to hide your location, IP, and any information about what you were browsing. iCloud Private Relay solves part of the problem that Mac users have used VPNs for in the pastit means that companies cannot build a clear picture of you on the web, thereby protecting your privacy. iCloud Private Relay has some disadvantages: it only works when you are using Safari, you have to be a subscriber to iCloud, and you cant use it to pretend to be surfing from another country in order to access content that is locked to a particular region. Read more here: iCloud+ Private Relay explained . If you are a subscriber to iCloud, and only use Safari, then iCloud Private Relay will provide you with some anonymity when you are surfing the web. You may therefore be thinking that this means you dont need a VPN to hide your location and identity. However, iCloud Private Relay does not allow you to choose an IP address or a region, and you wont be able to make it look like youre coming from another location. So you cant watch geographically locked Netflix content, for example. How we test VPNs For each VPN service we review, we conduct tests at three different times of the day: morning, afternoon, and evening, using Ookla Speedtest . We start by measuring the speed of our unprotected internet connection before testing the upload/download speeds of the VPN service. These tests are conducted to servers located in North America, the UK, Europe, Oceana, and Asia over an ethernet connection with a service provision of 100Mbps. To test upload and download speeds, we close down all background internet processes on the Mac, using TripMode. The only traffic on the system able to upload or download any data is Ookla. We use this setup to ensure that the numbers that Ookla produced were not stymied by anything else that the computer may have been doing at the time. The speeds Ookla captured were then averaged, providing us with a final numeric score. We then use those scores to calculate a percentage of difference in speeds, which is what youll see in our reviews. Since internet speeds change constantly based on server load, how fast your connection is, and a gazillion other factors, we feel this provides a better picture of what you can expect from a service, on the whole, than merely quoting the exact upload/download speeds we encountered during testing. Speed isnt the only quantifiable metric that we look at. The number of countries that a VPN offers servers in, total number of servers worldwide, and how much itll cost you to connect to those servers on a monthly or annual basis are also taken into consideration when recommending a VPN service to you. Additionally, we conduct hours of research into the VPN providers to find out who owns them, where theyre based, what they do with subscriber information, and whether the provider has a track record of questionable business practices. Whats a VPN? VPN stands for virtual private network . If youre not using a VPN, when your computer connects to the internet, it does so through the local gateway provided by your internet service provider (ISP). Doing this allows you to connect to all of the online services you use everyday. However, connecting this way also allows an ISP to know your physical location based on where you access the internetbe it at home, at work, in a cafe, or at a public Wi-Fi hotspot.This information is often sold to marketers and other parties interested in getting to know more about you and your browsing habits. Worse still, if you connect to the internet through an access point with weak security, such as at an airport, mall, or local library, hackers connected to the same network could intercept personal information like your social media passwords or banking credentials through whats called a man-in-the-middle attack . A VPN service can help prevent all of that. A VPN creates an encrypted digital tunnel between your computer and the server of the VPN service you choose to use. Once this tunnel has been established, your web searches, the sites you access, and the information you submit online will be hidden from prying eyes. This means that your ISP cant log or sell your information and hackers using the same network as you will find it difficult to initiate an attack on you. Almost no one will have any idea of what information youre accessing. For our recommendations of Mac Antivirus Software that we have tested see: Best Antivirus for Mac 2024: Top Security Software Compared . VPN apps are very easy to install and use but for a step-by-step guide, read how to set up a VPN on a Mac . What a VPN cant do A VPN cant protect you from viruses, malware, or ransomware attacks if you choose to download an infected file, or a visit site designed to inject your computer with malignant code. It wont keep spoofed sites from stealing your personal information, if you happen to visit one. So, youll want to bone up on online security best practices . You should know that while using a VPN will allow you to anonymously engage in peer-to-peer file-sharing/torrenting, some service providers may cancel your VPN subscription or turn over your information to the authorities if they catch you trading copyrighted material with others. Is it legal to use a VPN? While accessing locked content is a bit of a gray area, due to licensing agreements, we dont blame anyone who is desperate to watch the latest season of their favorite program when it airs in the U.S. rather than waiting for it to come to their country. Paying to watch a streaming service thats not available in your country has to be less morally wrong than actual piracy! For more information on the legalities and whether it is safe to use a VPN read: Is a VPN safe for Mac? What to look for in a VPN A clear privacy policy. A good VPN should offer an easy-to-understand privacy policy that outlines what, if any, information the company collects from its users. Its important that this policy details what they do with this information. Some VPN providers, especially those that offer their services for free, sell their user information to advertisers and other interested parties, just like an ISP does. Choose a provider that offers a level of privacy that suits you. Know where the provider is based. Many countries have no laws demanding that VPN providers maintain logs of their users activity. This makes maintaining your privacy more assurable than it would be if you use a VPN located in a country that requires that user-activity records be maintained. Some companies, in an effort to make their network of servers look bigger or more varied than it actually is, spoof the locations of their servers . The more servers, the merrier. Choosing a VPN provider with a ton of servers around the world is important for a couple of reasons. First, having a multitude of servers to choose from means that you wont be forced to connect to an overpopulated server where the data flows like mud. Second, having a wealth of servers to choose from both at home and internationally means more opportunities for spoofing your location, allowing you to hide where you are or access region-locked content with ease. Multiple payment options. Its a vicious circle. Paying for a VPN with a credit card online before you have access to a VPN could allow your financial information to fall into the wrong hands. Look for providers that offer alternative payment options such as PayPal, Bitcoin, AliPay, or via the Mac App Store. An easy-to-use interface. It takes a lot of digital wizardry to connect to a VPN. Some people want to see how their VPN operates, behind the scenes. Using an open source VPN client like Tunnelblick is great for this. Most folks, however, just want their VPN to work with minimal frustration. Look for a VPN service that offers a Mac client with an easy-to-use interface. Protection for all of your devices. A good VPN service will offer licenses for multiple devices to protect your loved ones computers as well as your personal smartphone and tablet. To this end, before investing in a VPN subscription, make sure that it provides software clients for all of the devices you own.
What is wedding invitation scam, how to protect yourself from it?
Scammers are sending fake wedding invites on WhatsApp to spread malware.
Even if Indira Gandhi returns from heaven, Article 370 will not be restored: Amit Shah
PARBHANI/JALGAON/DHULE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will not be restored even if Congress stalwart and late PM Indira Gandhi comes down from heaven. The BJP's star campaigner sought to corner the Congress over Muslim reservation and accused the main opposition party of deliberately stalling construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya for years. With just a week left for the high-stakes assembly polls in Maharashtra, Shah stepped up his campaigning for the ruling Mahayuti front, of which the BJP is a member, and addressed three rallies in a day where he attacked the Congress and its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) ally Shiv Sena (UBT). Addressing a rally at Dhule in North Maharashtra, Shah said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should remember that even if his fourth generation were to come, Muslims won't get reservations meant for Dalits, tribals and other backward castes. A few days ago, Ulemas (Muslim scholars) met the president of Congress party and said Muslims should be given reservation (in jobs and education). If reservation has to be given to Muslims, then reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs will have to be cut. Rahul Baba, not only you but even if your four generations were to come, they cannot cut the quota meant for SCs/STs/OBCs and give it to Muslims, Shah insisted. The Union minister made it clear that Article 370, scrapped in 2019 by the BJP-led central government, won't be restored under any circumstances. PM Modi accuses Congress of 'dangerous intentions' on reservations, vows to protect 'roti, beti, maati' in Jharkhand Even if Indira Gandhi were to return from heaven, Article 370 won't be restored, the BJP stalwart told the gathering. Describing the opposition MVA grouping as an Aurangzeb Fan Club, Shah noted the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance abides by the ideals of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. At another election meeting in Jalgaon, also in North Maharashtra, the former BJP president averred that if the MVA wins the November 20 assembly polls, the state will turn into an ATM (automated teller machine) for the Congress. They (MVA) will withdraw funds from Maharashtra by using the state's resources and send the money to Delhi. In contrast, if the BJP-led Mahayuti forms a government, the Modi administration will ensure greater development for Maharashtra, Shah said at the meeting in Chalisgaon town. Targeting Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli, he accused his party of making false promises and misleading people. Recently, Rahul Gandhi was seen waving a copy of Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution. He used the same copy while taking the oath in Parliament. When some journalists got their hands on the very copy, it had blank pages. By showing a fake Constitution, Rahul broke the trust of people and insulted Babasaheb. Apparently, you have never read the Constitution, Rahul baba, Shah said. The Sonia-Manmohan regime didn't act against Naxalism and terrorism for 10 years (2004-14) due to vote bank politics, the home minister opined. Supreme Court to Ajit Pawar's NCP: Stop using Sharad Pawar's photos, videos; Stand on your own legs The entire Congress politics runs on deception. They are saying that after the formation of the Mahayuti government (in June 2022), investment in Maharashtra has reduced. The truth is after the formation of the government of (CM) Eknath Shinde and (deputy CM) Devendra Fadnavis, our Maharashtra is No.1 state in FDI inflows in India, he said. A Mahayuti government post-polls will work more for the welfare of women, farmers and other sections of society, Shah maintained. Your one vote will not only form a Mahayuti government but your one vote will also deposit Rs 2,100 in the account of Maharashtra's beloved sisters. Your one vote will result in depositing Rs 15,000 instead of Rs 12,000 annually in farmers' account, he said. The BJP leader said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee is like 'patthar ki lakeer' (carved in stone), whereas the Congress reneged on pre-poll promises in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh after coming to power in these states. Targeting NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar, Shah said the senior politician served as Maharashtra CM and also as a Union minister for many years, but did not do anything to give classical language status to Marathi. At his third rally at Jintur in Parbhani district in the Marathwada region, Shah averred that Congress MP Gandhi, who has been campaigning for the MVA in Maharashtra, will fail once again. Sonia ji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times and 20 times the plane crashed. Now again, an attempt is being made to land the plane for the 21st time in Maharashtra. Sonia ji, your Rahul plane is going to crash for the 21st time, the BJP leader opined. Shah accused the Congress of deliberately stalling construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya for years. PM Modi built the Ram temple and also constructed the Kashi Vishwanath corridor (in Varanasi) which was demolished by (Mughal emperor) Aurangzeb. Now, you should be ready to visit Gujarat as the Somnath temple is also being made of gold, he told the gathering. Modi has made the country safe and prosperous, Shah said. I have visited all the places like Vidarbha, North Maharashtra, West Maharashtra, Konkan, Mumbai, Marathwada. Do you want to know the result of assembly polls? Listen to me, on November 23 (result day), the Maha Vikas Aghadi is going to be wiped out from Maharashtra, he declared. Shah said Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, a former BJP ally, is now in alliance with those who opposed renaming Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Vote for double engine government to ensure speedy development of Maharashtra: PM Modi
VVIPs grounded, flights delayed as smog, hazardous air quality disrupt travel in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: Amid hazardous air quality and heavy smog, VVIPs are also affected. With 7,112 stubble-burning cases reported, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann couldn't fly from Chandigarh to Bathinda on Wednesday due to poor visibility and had to travel by road. Similarly, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar couldn't land in Ludhiana on Tuesday for the same reason. Sources said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had to go to Gidderbaha to address an election rally from Chandigarh, after attending a function of Vision Punjab 2047 at the Panjab University but the Air Traffic Control (ATC) did not permit his helicopter to take off due to `Poor Visibility as there was too much of smog so the visibility was almost nil thus Mann had to go by road. While Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was unable to attend two events in Ludhiana as his aircraft could not land due to poor visibility at the Halwara airbase on Tuesday. Dhankhar was set to attend two functions, one at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the other at Sat Paul Mittal School in Dugri including an international conference on climate change. The plane of Dhankhar was diverted to Amritsar International Airport, immediately Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney and Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar rushed to the airport to receive the Vice President. After landing at Amritsar the plane got refueled and then took off to Indore in Madhya Pradesh. While addressing the gathering at PAU Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria had said Dhankhars plane was diverted to Amritsar but there too the situation wasnt better, forcing him to return. Flights between Delhi and Amritsar on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were delayed by over two hours due to very low visibility amid hazardous AQI in both cities. Recently a SpiceJet flight scheduled to depart at 8:40 am from Amritsar to Dubai was diverted to Delhi due to poor visibility. Low visibility due to smog has also caused inconvenience to commuters with the visibility declining. The air quality index (AQI) of Punjab, which was already `poor has stayed that way with the bursting of crackers and more farm fires in the past ten days across the state.
Gudadhe Challenges Fadnavis in South-West Nagpur, Calls for Change
Nagpur: In the high-profile South-West Nagpur Assembly constituency, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP stalwart Devendra Fadnavis is seeking his fourth consecutive term, while Congress National Secretary Prafull Gudadhe Patil has stepped up as his primary challenger. Even before the Assembly election announcement, Gudhe was prepared to take on Fadnavis. In a conversation with Nagpur Today, [] The post Gudadhe Challenges Fadnavis in South-West Nagpur, Calls for Change appeared first on Nagpur Today : Nagpur News .
Serving up a spike! Storied volleyball club, St George, is looking to script a comeback
KOCHI: It was a nippy November evening in 1955. The venue was the Infant Jesus High School ground in Vazhakulam, a small town near Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district. A team from Delhi was taking on the local St George club in a showpiece game of volleyball. The makeshift gallery was packed, despite the fact that tickets were priced at 10 ana and 6 ana, not an insignificant amount back then. It was the golden era of Indian volleyball. Earlier in the year, the national team had won the Asian Championships in Tokyo, which also played host to the countrys bronze-winning performance at the 1958 Asian Games. The Delhi squad comprised national-level players such as Sath Prakash, N N Chadha, Mohanlal, and others, while the Vazhakulam club boasted the likes of V J Joseph, T P P Nair and K C S Narayan, who were then part of the Indian Air Force team. In a high-intensity match that saw the teams trading spikes, blocks and digs, St George got the better of their more-fancied opponents, much to the delight of spectators. Rekindling interest Established in 1942, St George, one of the oldest volleyball clubs in the state, if not in the country, is now taking the lead in reviving youngsters interest in the sport. It has been organising free training facilities and camps every year, except for a three-year hiatus during the pandemic. The club opened a modern indoor stadium in 2022, thanks to funding from the local panchayat and money mobilised by club members, says Thomas Varghese, the clubs current president. That same year, the club organised its largest coaching camp, which saw the participation of over 160 children. Thomas attributes the clubs early success to players such as John Nedungat, Joseph Scaria, and N M Luka, who helped popularise the game in Vazhakulam. It must have been the simplicity of the game and the landscape of the village that saw volleyball gain popularity in Vazhakulam. All you needed were two wooden poles, a net, a ball and a little space unlike other major sports. The game suited the hilly terrain of Vazhakulam, says Paul Vadakekkara, a former international and current member of the club. The notice issued for the Delhi vs Vazhakulam match in 1955 Hub of talent A number of established players including V J Joseph and Beena Varghese learned the ropes of the game in Vazhakulam. There are very few Indian players who have not been associated with the Vazhakulam club in one way or another. Stalwarts like T P P Nair, Jimmy George, Tom Joseph, T J Varghese, Pappan Varapuzha, Cyril C Velloor have all played at our club at least once in their career, recounts Thomas. Pauls brother and former state and university player Jacob Vadakkekara was also associated with the club from childhood. Club tournaments were festive occasions. Beyond the game, the venue provided youngsters with an avenue for socialising, he points out. Volleyball is no longer popular with youngsters. This had affected the club. We hope recent developments, including the new stadium, will help us revive the spirit of the game in our town, adds Jacob, who is now a volleyball coach with the State Sports Council. Former national captain and Dronacharya award winner T P P Nair has fond recollections of representing the Vazhakulam club -- the 1955 match against the Delhi team. I was a part of the Air Force team, when my captain V J Joseph invited me to play for his home club. They were hosting a team from Delhi and wanted players who could help the local club put up a good fight. That was my only association with Vazhakulam. We played well and won the match, remembers Nair. Nair was spotted by Joseph in 1951, during a training session. Impressed by his powerful spiking, Nair was inducted into the IAF team and went on to became one of the greatest players the country has produced.
Bitdefender vs. Malwarebytes: Which antivirus is best?
Bitwarden offers feature-rich antivirus at a competitive price, while Malwarebytes focuses on protection against malware. Here's how to decide between the two.
Hyderabad police issues advisory asking people not to share confidential details
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad police on Tuesday issued a caution asking the people not to share confidential details with anyone, even with the family members and friends. In a public advisory, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad cybercrime unit, Dara Kavitha, advised the people not to share user ID, password, debit card number, PIN, card verification value (CVV) and OTP etc. If necessary, immediately change credentials. Bank officials, financial institutions, RBI and any genuine entity never ask customers to share confidential information. Don't install any Apk files which are forwarded or sent through Whatsapp as fraudsters will steal data by compromising devices. Never respond to emails and embedded APK file links in messages and calls asking you to update or verify KYC documents pending, she explained. If you have any genuine doubt about safety of your interests, it is advisable to physically visit your bank or financial institution. There is a possibility to get a refund of at least part of the lost and put on hold amount, if a cyber fraud is reported immediately, she said. Victims of such cyber frauds can report immediately on the helpline number 1930 or through the national cyber crime reporting portal cybercrime.gov.in. According to DCP, a victim received a call claiming to be from a private bank, requesting an increase in credit card limit and asking for personal details, including the card number. The caller instructed to install an APK file sent on Whatsapp. The victim then installed the application after which his mobile phone was compromised and later multiple transactions totaling Rs.2.91 lakh were debited from the victim's credit card without him disclosing the OTP. The victim approached the police station immediately and the NCRP Team of cyber crime unit Hyderabad has identified the malware sent to the victim's mobile and after removing it identified that the transactions were made on Amazon in three separate purchases. The victim filed an online complaint with the police on November 2, 2024. Notices were sent to authorities concerned immediately for blocking funds. As a result of prompt action by the NCRP team led to the merchant refunding the total amount of Rs.2.91 lakh to the victim's credit card without a court order.
Music is a great unifying and connecting factor even today
Bengaluru-based musician Dr. Nagaraj Rao Havaldar recently presented a lecture-demonstration highlighting Karnatakas unique status as a state that has nurtured stalwarts in both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions
UP assembly by-polls a litmus test for 2027
LUCKNOW: The by-elections being held to nine assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh is being seen as a litmus test for the future assembly elections to be held in 2027. With Congress out of the fray, it is now directly linked to the prestige of SP-BJP stalwarts in this by-election. It is a different matter that []
Dues of sanitation staff cleared following DC report
Hyderabad :Sanitation staff in GHMC's Santoshnagar Circle-7 received their pending salaries for October 2024 on Monday, following a report published in the Deccan Chronicle regarding the delay. Following the news article, GHMC officials promptly credited salaries to 430 employees. Alwar Shiva Kumar, president of the TG MCH Employees and Workers Union, expressed gratitude to Deccan Chronicle for bringing attention to the issue. One of the sanitation workers shared relief upon receiving the due, saying the delay had caused financial strain, particularly during the festive season and for paying rent. A sanitation field assistant told Deccan Chronicle that he was feeling uncomfortable assigning work to the staff knowing their salaries were not paid.
Best cheap antivirus deals for Mac
Macworld With Apple already including built-in antivirus protection for Macs you might be wondering Do Macs need antivirus software? especially when confronted by pricy monthly subscriptions for services. In this article well explain why you need an extra layer of protection and how to get the best Mac antivirus software deals. Mac security software adds another layer of protection to what Apple already provides, with features that can help to protect your identity, passwords, and financial details. These are the things that criminals are after, and theyll often use cunning ways to extract them rather than spending time trying to break past Apples defenses in macOS. Although some of the packages here are solely focused on macOS, others will also protect Android and Windows devices you might also own, and that makes the price of protection much cheaper per computer. Our best deal this month is Intego Mac Internet Security X9 you can get it for $24.99/20.99 a year for one Mac, normally $49.99/49.99 a year get the deal here . Weve evaluated many antivirus for Mac solutions from several companies, including free and low-cost options as well as some more feature-packed alternatives. See our round-up of the Best antivirus for Mac. Here we will share the best free antivirus options as well as the best deals we have seen on the paid-for antivirus solutions. Best free antivirus for Mac Several companies offer free antivirus software for Mac. However, you should always be cautious using a free antivirus and dont expect all the features of the paid-for options. Avast Security for Mac (read our review) offers a free option alongside the Premium plan. Get it here . Avira Free Antivirus for Mac (read our review) is free and also includes a VPN. Get it here . AVG Antivirus For Mac (read our review) free version offers basic features. Get it here . Bitdefender Virus Scanner for Mac (read our review) is free to use. Get it here . Intego VirusBarrier Scanner (read our review) free virus scanner. Get it here . Malwarebytes Antivirus for Mac has a free version as well as a paid version. Get it here . Sophos Home theres a free plan, plus you can get the full version for a 30-day trial. Get it here. Cheapest antivirus deals for Mac Youll find the following Mac antivirus recommendations in our round-up of the Best antivirus for Mac. Were just presenting the lower-priced options here, but if you look at the roundup you may find alternative deals that suit you better. 1. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Pros Built for Mac Easy to set up Cons No protection from phishing links in email Price When Reviewed: From $24.99 for first year, then $49.99 a year (1 Mac) Using our link First-year, 1 Mac $24.99 2-year, 1 Mac $42.24 First-year, 3 Macs $33.99 See all plans & pricing at Intego Intego Mac Internet Security X9 offers a useful set of security utilities that help keep your Mac safe and running smoothly and its user-friendly interface is right at home with Apples macOS aesthetic. We have a special deal for Intego Mac Internet Security X9 so you can get it for $24.99/20.99 a year for one Mac: get the deal here . Theres also a two-year intro rate of $42.24/35.99 that can be chosen at checkout. Read our full Intego Mac Internet Security X9 review 2. Norton 360 Pros Fast, good performance and stability Minimal performance impact Cons Unable to scan .zip archives Price When Reviewed: Standard (3 devices): $39.99 for first year, then $94.99 a year; Deluxe (5 devices): $49.99 for first year, then $119.99 a year 1 year, 3 devices $39.99 1 year, 5 devices $49.99 1 year, 3 devices (Amazon) $14.99 The user interface is clean and friendly and the program ran both its foreground and background tasks briskly, with no crashes or slowdowns. There are some differences between the UK and US versions of Norton 360. In the U.S. you pay $39.99 for Norton 360 Standard which gives you protection for 3 devices, but in the U.K. its 24.99 for Norton 360 Standard for just one device. Weve seen deals on Amazon. For example, at Amazon U.S. Norton 360 Deluxe (covering three devices) is $14.99 get the deal here . In the U.K. theres also a deal on Amazon U.K. Get cover for three devices for just 12.99. Get the deal here Read our full Norton 360 review 3. McAfee Total Protection Pros Good, customizable set of security tools Background scanning feature Cons Can be laggy Price When Reviewed: Single: $29.99 (1 device) for first year, then $89.99 Essential: $39.99 (5 devices) for first year, then $119.99 a year 1 year, 1 device $29.99 1 year, 5 devices $39.99 PCWorld Software Store $19.99 McAfee Total Protection offers some good tools with good background protection and customization as well as an easy means of keeping your devices secure. You can get McAfee Total Protection for five devices for $39.99 for one year in the U.S. get the U.S. deal here . Its 34.99 a year for five devices for the first year in the U.K get the U.K. deal here . Read our full McAfee Total Protection review 4. Avast Premium Security Pros Impressive malware detection and network tools Easy to specify antiviral scan types and target volumes Cons Descriptions of suspect files lack detail Price When Reviewed: From $50.28 for first year, then $77.99 a year. First-year, 1 Mac $50.28 First-year, 10 devices $69.48 This suite offers a good suite of tools at a good price. The best functions such as VPN, disk cleanup, and anti-tracking tools are only available on the Ultimate subscription tier. Avast will cover for one Mac for $50.28 / 39.99 for the first year. Read our full Avast Premium Security review 5. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Pros Easy to scan external volumes such as flash drives Nice user interface Cons Occasional freezes Limited VPN Price When Reviewed: $34.99 per year, 3 devices (usually $59.99) 1 year, 3 devices $34.99 Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac offers a handy, customizable user interface and good features. Bitdefender Total Security is currently 29.99 for a year in the U.K. for three devices, and $39.99 in the U.S. for a one-year subscription for three devices, get the U.S. deal here / get the U.K. deal here . Read our full Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac review 6. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Pros Good malware detection Low system load Cons Fewer extra features than less-expensive options Price When Reviewed: $29.95 for first year, then $39.95 a year (1 Mac) 1 year, 1 Mac $29.95 Trend Micro Antivirus is a good program with well-rated antivirus protection and a simple, straightforward interface that users will appreciate. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is currently $29.99 for first year for one Mac, usually $39.95: Get the U.S. deal here / Currently 19.95 for first year for one Mac, usually 49.99: Get the U.K. deal here . Read our full Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac review How to find a good antivirus deal It can be tricky to know where to start with antivirus. Protecting your tech from malware, ransomware and other cyber attacks is such an important thing to do, but most of the services available appear to be very similar to one another, so its hard to understand which are the most secure, and which are the best value. You can rest assured that we will only share deals here if we think theyre good enough to be worth buying. Everything we share here will be a great saving on a service we trust. We recommend taking a look at our article all about the best Mac antivirus to help you get a better understanding of which services we like most. Youll find that antivirus discounts can be huge, often at more than half price for your Mac or mobile devices. Do note that these are typically first-year deals, and at renewal youll pay the regular price.
North Karnataka Braces for By-Election Showdown in Sandur and Shiggaon
The by-elections had a healthy voting percentage of 76.71 percent. The by-elections had a healthy voting percentage of 76.71 percent. Mangaluru: The public campaign for the by-elections scheduled on November 13 concluded on Monday evening. All eyes are on Shiggaon and Sandur in North Karnataka which have been a bastion of BJP and Congress respectively since 2008. Interestingly the two leaders Basavaraj Bommai and E Tukaram have been representing Shiggaon and Sandur respectively since 2008 and the by-election is being held after both of them won the recent parliament election. While BJP has fielded Basavaraj Bommais son Bharath Bommai as its candidate in its stronghold Shiggaon, Congress has fielded Tukarams wife Annapoorna as its candidate in its stronghold Sandur. Sandur: A Congress Stronghold on the Line Sandur has long been a bastion for the Congress party, with its grip solidified since the seat was classified as reserved for Scheduled Tribes post-delimitation. Here, the Congress has consistently won (except in 1985 and 2004), most recently through MLA E Tukaram. His ascent to MP in the recent election after winning the seat for four times has left the seat open for a fierce contest. Confident of retaining the seat, Congress has fielded Tukaram's wife, Annapoorna, banking on her ties with the constituency and the support of influential leaders led by Minister Santosh Lad. CM Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar too camped here and held extensive campaign to retain the seat. The BJP, however, is hoping to break Congresss hold for the first time, with Bangaru Hanumantha, the BJP state chief of the ST Morcha, now in the fray. Although Hanumantha contested as an independent in 2018, he is now backed by a JD(S) alliance, adding strength to BJP's bid. The campaign here saw an intense ground game, with heavyweights like Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Santosh Lad rallying for Congress, highlighting the party's schemes and condemning alleged mismanagement by the BJP-led central government and reminding the people about the dark days during the rule of Reddy brothers. In a counter-effort, BJPs senior leaders led by BS Yediyurappa and mining baron G. Janardhan Reddy campaigned intensively, banking on anti-incumbency sentiments and various controversies surrounding the Congress-led state government. The battle in Sandur has turned into a prestige issue for Congress, and any slip-up could tarnish the partys control over one of its traditional strongholds. Shiggaon: The Bommai Legacy in Focus While Sandur is a Congress stronghold, Shiggaon stands as a BJP bastion, firmly held by Basavaraj Bommai since he joined the party in 2008. Bommais successive victories consolidated Shiggaon under BJP's fold, a legacy he reinforced through development projects until his recent election as MP for Haveri. This by-election now sees BJP fielding his son, Bharath Bommai, who is counting on both his fathers legacy and substantial support from BJP stalwarts like BS Yediyurappa and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. For BJP, a win here is critical. Shiggaon is under the Dharwad parliamentary constituency, represented by Pralhad Joshi, and a loss could be perceived as a setback for both Joshi and the Bommai family. BJPs campaign has emphasized Bommais contributions to Shiggaons development, and capitalize on internal party friction in the Congress and candidate selection controversies. On the Congress front, the party draws confidence from its recent parliamentary performance in Shiggaon segment where it led by 8,000 votes over BJP in the Dharwad parliament seat. The Congress is also banking on anti-incumbency and the failure during the BJP government, hoping they resonate with voters. In addition to the local issues and anti-incumbency all eyes are on how the state issues like the MUDA scam, Valmiki Corporation misappropriation, Waqf issue would affect the election. The election will also be interesting as the BJP-JD(S) coalition is on one side and Congress on the other side. While the coalition was formed during the parliament election, people are keen to see how it works during the election related to the state.
Odisha updates dress code for nursing service cadre employees
Bhubaneswar: The health and family welfare department of the Odisha government has implemented a new dress code for employees in the Odisha Nursing Service cadre. This change, approved after considering a proposal from the Odisha Nursing Employees' Association, is subject to the condition that it will not impose substantial financial implications on the state government. The notification specifies the following dress guidelines: The uniform will be in light lavender. In the intensive care unit (ICU), operation theatre (OT), and labor room settings, nursing staff will wear scrub suits. For general wards, female staff will wear sarees or salwar kameez with 3/4th sleeve tops, while male staff will wear shirts with deep navy blue formal trousers. Assistant Nursing Superintendents (ANS): ANS uniforms will be cyan blue. Similar to Nursing Officers, ANS working in the ICU, OT, or Labor Room will wear scrub suits. In general wards, female ANS will wear sarees or salwar kameez, while male ANS will wear shirts paired with deep navy blue formal trousers. Deputy Nursing Superintendents (DNS)/Nursing Superintendents (NS): The dress code for DNS/NS will be white. They will wear scrub suits in the ICU, OT, or labor room. In general wards, female staff will wear sarees, and male staff will wear shirts with deep navy blue formal trousers. Additional details include a distinctive deep purple Sambalpuri border on the collar of the white aprons for all nursing staff. Nursing Officers and Senior Nursing Officers in general wards will have white half-sleeve aprons, while ANS, DNS, and NS will wear full-sleeve aprons. All uniforms will feature the employee's name and designation. Lastly, Nursing Superintendents will be distinguished by a dark brown badge displaying the hospital logo, their name, and designation.
Odisha govt adds new colours to uniforms of nurses
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has brought into effect a change in the dress code for employees under the Odisha Nursing Service Cadre. The regular white apron will now feature a Sambalpuri touch for the deputy nursing superintendents. According to a notification from the Health and Family Welfare Department, the Odisha Nursing Employees Association's proposal for a dress code change has been approved in principle by the state government, subject to the condition that the change will not have significant financial implications. The colour palette for nursing officers has shifted from the existing white to light lavender. The scrub suits for both male and female nurses in the ICU, OT, and labour rooms will be light lavender. Female nursing officers in general wards can choose between a saree or salwar-kameez in the new colour. Similarly, male nursing officers in general wards will wear lavender shirts paired with deep navy blue formal pants. For assistant nursing superintendents (ANS), the colour code will be cyan blue for both scrub suits and sarees or salwar-kameez for females, while male ANS will wear cyan shirts with deep navy blue pants. For deputy nursing superintendents (DNS), the colour code will remain white. Female DNS will wear white scrub suits or sarees, while male DNS will wear white shirts with deep navy blue pants. All nursing officers and senior nursing officers in general wards will wear white half-sleeve aprons, while all ANS/DNS in general wards will wear full-sleeve aprons. The collar of the white apron for DNS will be bordered with deep blue Sambalpuri fabric. All officers of the cadre, regardless of rank, will have their names and designations inscribed on their uniforms. The nursing superintendent will have a dark brown badge with the hospital logo, along with their name and designation.
Donald Trump announces immigration official Tom Homan as border czar
Washington: US president-elect Donald Trump said late Sunday he was bringing back hardline immigration official Tom Homan to oversee the country's borders in the incoming administration. The 78-year-old Republican tycoon has pledged to launch -- on day one of his presidency -- the largest deportation operation of undocumented immigrants in US history. I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nation's Borders (The Border Czar), Trump posted on his social network Truth Social. I've known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin, Trump added. Trump -- who never conceded his 2020 loss -- sealed a remarkable comeback to the presidency in the November 5 vote, cementing what is set to be more than a decade of US politics dominated by his hardline right-wing stance. During his campaign, he repeatedly railed against undocumented immigrants, employing violent rhetoric about those who poison the blood of the United States. While the US government has struggled for years to manage its southern border with Mexico, Trump has super-charged concerns by claiming an invasion is underway by migrants he says will rape and murder Americans. In rally speeches, he wildly exaggerated local tensions and misled his audiences about immigration statistics and policy. Violent crime, which spiked under Trump, has fallen in every year of President Joe Biden's administration. Migrants commit fewer crimes proportionately than the native population, though foreign suspects have been named in a few high-profile cases of violent attacks on women and children, infuriating Republicans. The number of US border patrol encounters with migrants crossing over from Mexico illegally is now about the same as in 2020, the last year of Trump's presidency, after peaking at a record 250,000 for the month of December 2023. Trump vowed to tackle migrant gangs using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 -- which allows the federal government to round up and deport foreigners belonging to enemy countries -- as part of a mass deportation drive he christened Operation Aurora. Aurora was the scene of a viral video showing armed Latinos rampaging through an apartment block that spurred sweeping, false narratives about the town being terrorised by Latin American migrants. Trump has similarly promoted the fictitious story that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating residents' pets.
Preserving Tamil theatre in its original form
CHENNAI: In any profession, working with a stalwart can be a learning experience. Beyond the craft, you learn how to lead your life, too. Theatre artiste Sreedevi Gengaiah had a similar experience. Not just acting and direction, but I learned what is life from Natesan Muthuswamy, founder of Koothu-P-Pattarai. It was my way of repaying the gratitude by opening a school of acting for theatre buffs, says the founder of Devriksha School of Acting. Fondly rewinding her glorious summers of the bygone years, Devi recalls that the best thing that happened to Tamil theatre was when Muthuswamy brought the organisation to its rightful place on the cultural map of India. During the 70s, the veteran started writing in Tamil and found a firm mooring in the way his ideas hit the bulls eye. He scripted several plays and staged them under Koothu-P-Pattarai productions. He has won a handful of awards for his contribution to Tamil theatre Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999-2000), Kalaimamani Award (2010) and Padma Shri Award (2012), she says. Devi worked under the late artiste for 10 years, and she calls it being part of the family, such being the bond. Once I learnt the basics of acting, it was a matter of getting into the nuances of theatre where the body language had to be pronounced in every frame. Such was the confidence the founder had in me that I was soon in direction. Possibly, I surprised him with the range of ideas, thanks to the freedom where every actor had a say in the proceedings, she says. An active part of the theatre for well over 25 years, the hallmark of Devis innings had been the countless national and international workshops on acting, theatre, and storytelling. What did wonders to my CV was working with theatre experts from Tamil Nadu legends like Anandakannan, Jeeva Raghunath, not to forget the towering presence of my mentor Muthuswamy, she notes. Besides the regional legends, fruitful interactions with international wizards like Nelia Vekzal, Ruth Ziv Aval (Germany), Gil Alon (Israel), and Edgar (Costa Rica) impacted her craft when they visited Koothu-P-Pattarai. That did wonders to my confidence that I had it in me to create and mould actors while guiding them in their nervous opening phase. In providing their art to society, there was so much satisfaction, which was what my mentor had visioned and ordered too, she says. Starting an acting school was a dream come true for Devi. Based in Saligramam, this institute has shaped many talents over 15 years and still going strong. On her method which has a lot of individuality enveloped over it, Devi says she monitors her wards journey from take-off to sign-off without missing the minute nuances, thereby simplifying the entire process. Devi believes there is nothing like the actual play where an actors talent is tested. I ensure that the batch of students get to act in a play where the script from me is tailored to bring out the best in the individual. The point to be borne is that every aspirant has a hidden talent, which has to be spotted and nurtured. To my surprise, the shy ones in the rehearsals had outsmarted the seasoned ones in my school in a few plays. That underlined the message of not taking anything for granted and the best moments in a play is in going with the flow of the script and the mood swings of the talent bank, she shares. In 15 years, they have staged several plays, and their USP is the specialisation and individuality Devi gives to every aspirant under her wings. In 15 years, the 25 stage plays and five street plays speak for the quality fare, winning lavish praise from veteran stage artistes even outside Tamil Nadu. The school has trained over a hundred artistes who have gone on to have successful careers on the stage and the big screen. Our school has played a vital role in creating awareness regarding important issues such as health and welfare, road safety, cancer awareness, and womens safety. The bottom line is that our school actively encourages folk art and spreads awareness about performing arts, she says. The latest play was Arjunan Thabasu, which set the platform for a fresh batch of students. Needless to say, Devi feels honoured and privileged to direct a play inaugurated by Muthusamy 15 summers ago. The words of my guru kept harping on me that in giving a contemporary twist to a traditional play, the directors wherewithal is put to the ultimate test in taking a few liberties with the characters which the purists may frown upon, she says. Arjunan Thabasu is about the penance of the third Pandava prince to get the potent Paasupatha arrow from Lord Shiva. It essays the challenges Arjuna encounters on his way to the Himalayas in its pursuit. The play brings in characters like Ekalavyas disciples, who try to dissuade Shiva from giving Arjuna the weapon. Here, its an uncanny cut to the 21st century as they also speak of the mad arms race among countries of the earth. Without being didactic, the play is rich in satire and provides much food for thought to audiences with contemporary interests. Devi stuck to her guns of making the actors cleverly inter-change the characters. It is the characters that matter and not the actors who enact those. Again, a learning curve which has stood the test of time over the years, she notes. Devi has her hands full in hitting the break-even but is happy keeping the legacy alive of an individual she sees as her father figure. The full meaning of my school will come through only if talents emerge, upholding the longevity of Tamil theatre. I believe it has to be preserved in its pristine and original form. It is true that urban audiences are drawn towards English theatre while Tamil theatre is at its struggling best to find sponsors to promote fresh ideas, she says. A burning desire of Devi, who hails from Gudiyatham in Vellore district is to take Tamil theatre deep into the villages. I know that village audiences have a feel for realistic plays. They understand the values of theatre as an art. If cinema is said to be an extension of theatre, it is only due to the contribution of Sivaji Ganesan, Major Sundarrajan, MN Rajam, and a few others of their ilk, she says, as she ends the conversation with a parting note, The desire is not to make a living out of theatre but do my mite to preserve a century-old culture. As an artiste, the onus is on the likes of us.
If you type these 6 words on Google, hackers could target you
Cybersecurity firm SOPHOS has issued a warning about a new hacking strategy that targets particular Google search terms, particularly those that include the word Australia, potentially leading users to harmful websites. SOPHOS cautions that clicking on these fraudulent links could result in the theft of personal information, including banking credentials, via malware known as Gootloader.
Sanitation Staff of GHMC Santoshnagar Circle Yet to Get October Pay
Hyderabad: Sanitation workers in GHMC Santoshnagar circle have not been paid their October salary paid. While the sanitation staff of other circles received their salaries in the same month as a Diwali gesture, the 430 employees in the Santoshnagar circle were not paid, apparently because of an error in the corporations accounts department. The circle covers IS Sadan, Champapet, Edibazaar, Kurmaguda, Talabkatta and Gowlipura. Generally the salaries of the sanitation staff are credited by the ninth of every month but this month they have not received salaries yet. They are suffering due to the mistake of senior officials, said Greater Hyderabad Municipal Employees Union (GHMEU) president U. Gopal. Alwar Shiva Kumar, president of the TS MCH Employees and Workers Union, stated that the issue had been taken to the attention of the Charminar zonal commissioner T. Venkanna but there had been no response. Many of the affected sanitation workers are women, who are struggling with expenses, as a result of the delay. One of them, G. Padma, said that she could not pay her rent. A GHMC official told Deccan Chronicle that the delay was caused by a technical problem, and the salary file had been resubmitted to the office. The official said that efforts were being made to resolve the issue promptly.
Voters will think beyond caste, vote for development: Yogeshwara
With the bypoll just three days away, what is your gut feeling? It is in my favour because there is an aversion against Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as he did not deliver the goods during his term as CM. Former PM HD Deve Gowda is a Vokkaliga stalwart. Wont the community stand by him? He plays the caste card only during elections. But I am there for the community all the time. I have respect for him. But in public life, people will not accept his stand. His is family interest, and mine is public interest. Gowda claims credit for Iggaluru dam. What is your take on it? He (Gowda) is in no way connected to Iggaluru barrage. He had no idea at all. It is all a cock-and-bull story. When he was the PM, the local people called him and named it after him. Thats about it. But I found the source for the dam from the Cauvery and Sattegala project, a similar one, has been commissioned. When DV Sadananda Gowda was CM, I got the project approved, and Siddaramaiah as CM released the funds. No one government can claim credit for the project. I have evidence of Gowda saying the pipelines will get removed after the Cauvery Water Tribunal verdict. Nikhil is trying to gain sympathy after losing two back-to-back polls... By losing polls elsewhere (Mandya in 2019 and Ramanagara in 2023), he (Nikhil) cannot use it in his favour in Channapatna. If you had contested as an independent or as a BJP candidate, would it have been easy for you? Maybe. But the voting pattern changed in my favour as the people understood why I joined Congress. Kumarswamy is wooing all communities. What is your take? He was at it... but ultimately the people will vote for me thinking beyond caste lines for the work I had delivered in the past. Will DyCM DK Shivakumar become CM if you win? My win will strengthen Congress and also the hands of DK Shivakumar. It is up to the Congress high command to decide over the CM post. My factor helped BJPs Dr CN Manjunath win Bengaluru Rural LS seat in 2024, and now I will be with Shivakumar in his future endeavours.
Crucial defence unit was hit by ransomware attack in 2023: DoPT report
Cyber crimes with national security implications probed by the CBI in 2023 also include the ICMR data breach affecting 81 crore Indians, a malware attack in a Ministry, and a DDOS attack on airports, critical infrastructure
Dont judge Kohli on current form, Australia series could change it all: Rocky Ponting
DUBAI, Nov 9: Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli should not be judged on the basis of current form and that the champion cricketer could make a powerful statement during the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar series given his class, feels legendary Australian player Ricky Ponting. The much-awaited series against Pat Cummins Australia will commence in Perth on November 22 and Kohli, as always, will be a vital cog in Indias scheme of things if they are to retain the prestigious trophy. Indias [] The post Dont judge Kohli on current form, Australia series could change it all: Rocky Ponting appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
This dangerous Android malware remotely takes over your phone, empties your bank account
Toxicpanda banking trojan: Cybersecurity researchers recently discovered a new Android malware that aims to steal money from bank accounts. Known as Toxicpanda, this malware disguises itself as trusted apps and can also take control over users' phone remotely. Toxicpanda uses various techniques to initiate money transfers from affected Android devices and is posing a threat globally.
Book Review | A showcase of Odishas rich literary tradition
In the mid-20 th century Odisha, an anti-establishment movement emerged as a response to the socio-political tensions before and during the 1975 Emergency. It was named the Anam (Odia for Nameless) Movement. True to its name, despite having had an impact on Odishas literary and cultural spheres significant enough to pit them as potent weapons against the regime, it is not too widely known today. Odia poet Manu Dash, a leading figure of the Anam group of poets and writers, has since been an active participant in shaping the literature of the state. From organising various literary festivals to producing the Anam poetry journal and other curated volumes, he emphasises reading as a cultural practice. Dashs The Big Book of Odia Literature , published by Penguin India, also forms a part of his continuing endeavour. As if in response to the scant exposure that the movement has gotten through the years, we have been given a book that is essentially Odia literature at a glance. In the current context, Odia is not only a language but a cultural entity closely revolving around the personal and communal lives of its people. This becomes evident as one simply looks through the contents. The Big Book of Odia Literature brings together a wide range of well-curated poems, play excerpts, and prose works, both fictional and experiential, as well as translations from a number of languages of the region into English. The anthology covers an impressive range of styles and eras. The opening section features the poetry of ancient poets like Sarala Dasa, Balarama Dasa, Salabega, and Jayadeva; medieval poets like Upendra Bhanja, and King Birakishore; early modern and modernist poets like Radhanath Ray, Mayadhar Mansinha, J.P. Das, Jayanta Mahapatra; and closes with contemporary writers such as Akhila Nayak and Akshaya Bahibala. The Big Book in the following sections contain excerpts from plays by Jagan Mohan Lal and Biswajit Das. In the two concluding sections of the book, one finds short stories of stalwarts like Fakir Mohan Senapati, Kalindi Charan Panigrahi, Binapani Mohanty, and Pratibha Ray, and essays of equally erudite personalities. Thus, the reader is sure to find themselves exposed to a wide variety of work, as is the aim of the book. The fact that it offers translations from new and emerging translators alongside luminaries of the past make it a fresh new addition to any library. However, since the anthology casts a wide net, it seems to struggle to target any specific demographic. Another issue to note is a lack of focus as much on the rich performative heritage of Odisha, of which drama forms a major part. Unlike novels, short stories, or even modern Odia poetry, stage plays do not imitate a Western form but are quite original. Despite these flaws, The Big Book of Odia Literature is a fitting title for those looking for an extensive entry point into the Odia literary canon. The book stays true to its name, being expansive and varied, even if it sacrifices a little cohesion. Ankit Rath is a DPhil scholar at the University of Oxford The Big Book of Odia Literature Ed. by Manu Dash Penguin pp. 728; Rs 699
Ananya Panday wears mom Bhavana Pandey's 21-yr-old suit by Rohit Bal, see VIRAL photos
Ananya Panday shared pictures from her cousin's wedding festivities where she wore a sea blue salwar suit that originally belonged to her mother Bhavana Pandey.
Goyal predicts BJPs clean sweep in Mumbai
Mumbai: Union minister Piyush Goyal on Friday claimed that BJP will have a clean sweep in Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, and the Mahayuti will form the next government in Maharashtra with a thumping majority. The party is contesting on 17 seats in Mumbai. Mr Goyal, who is a Lok Sabha member from the north Mumbai Lok Sabha constituency, said that the party will secure all six seats that are part of his Lok Sabha constituency. Goyal also defended UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's statement Batenge to Katenge (If we divide, we will be cut) stating that those who are of nationalist views would not get divided. Mr. Goyal has been campaigning for the party candidates in Mumbai. He was on Friday campaigning for the party candidate and incumbent MLA Parag Shah in Ghatkopar (East) constituency. Speaking to this newspaper, the Union minister said that the BJP and its alliance patterns took corrective measures after their dismal performance in Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra. Mr. Goyal further said that there was no merit in the claim that the results in Maharashtra were poor as the BJP-led Mahayuti received only two lakh votes less than the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). He added that one particular community voted in favor of the MVA in one of the six Assembly segments, which impacted the final outcome. The Maharashtra government has taken various decisions for the welfare of the people. With an introduction of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana and the works of 100 days by the Union central government, I am sure that our Mahayuti will certainly win the Assembly election, the Union Minister said. When asked about the resentment of the Maratha community against the BJP, he said that it is a past now and the Maratha community has realised which party takes care of their interest. The Mahayuti has provided assistance and various facilities to the Maratha community. The MVA did not pay attention to the grievances of the Maratha community during the MVAs regime. They (Marathas) have realised that the Mahayuti and central governments will protect their interests, he said. On Yogi Adityanaths statement Batenge toh katenge slogan calling for Hindu unity, Mr. Goyal said that everyone must be patriotic in India. We are inspired by nationalist views. Therefore, we should not get divided, he said. Talking about the Assembly seats in Mumbai, Mr. Goyal said that the Mahayuti would win all six seats including the Malad Assembly constituency, which was won by Congresss Aslam Shaikh in 2019. Aslam Shaikh has been trying to make election communal in the Malad constituency for the last many years. He has always done politics of appeasement, which benefited him. The people are now aware and well-informed. The Mahayuti will win all six seats of the north Mumbai Lok Sabha seat, he said. The BJP fielded Vinod Shelar against the incumbent MLA and senior Congress leader Aslam Shaikh. The candidature of Parag Shah, for whom Mr. Goyal was campaigning, was declared a few days before the nomination filing deadline. Former minister Prakash Mehta and few other BJP stalwarts were also interested to contest from the Ghatkopar East seat, which has been BJPs bastion for over two decades. When asked about the delay in declaring Mr. Shahs candidature, Mr. Goyal said, The party leadership decides the candidature of anyone by considering various factors. Sometimes, the incumbent public representative does not want to contest the election. There could be different situations (for not announcing the candidature at an early stage). I dont have any specific information regarding the delay in announcement of candidature here.
Greg Chappel advises struggling Rohit, Kohli; reflects on conversation with Sachin
Melbourne: As Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma prepare for one of their career's defining challenges in Australia in the upcoming Test series, former India head coach Greg Chappell believes the stalwart duo can ekindle the energy and focus of their youth to rediscover their lost glory. Wounded by an unprecedented 0-3 home series defeat to New Zealand, India will look to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the marquee five-match Test series in Australia beginning on November 22. According to Chappell, the ageing Sharma and Kohli must summon the same drive and focus that once marked their prime years if India hopes to reclaim its form on foreign soil. Reflecting on a conversation with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar in 2005, Chappell shared insights into the hurdles players face as they age. Tendulkar had sought Chappell's perspective and asked Greg, why does batting become harder as you get older? Surely it should get easier? I explained to him that the mental demands of batting intensify with age, Chappell wrote in a column for 'Sydney Morning Herald'. Batting gets harder because you realise how hard it is to make runs at this level and how difficult it is to maintain the mental focus that is required to be successful, the Australian batting legend wrote. He said it's not the eyesight or the reflexes that drop off when a players starts ageing but it's the intense focus that is required that becomes harder to sustain. When one is younger, the mind is focused on making runs. As you age, the opposition has put work into finding your weaknesses, and you are more aware of the conditions and the situation of the game. As a young player, you don't worry about the conditions or the situation of the game, you only see the ball and how to make runs, Chappell wrote, describing Rohit, Kohli and Australian batting stalwart Steve Smith as the giants of current times. If you want to play like you did as a younger player, you have to rekindle the attitude and the thought processes that you had as a younger player. That is the greatest challenge for the ageing player, Chappell had explained to Tendulkar. Chappell said the upcoming five-match Test series in Australia will be as much a battle of wits and endurance as it will be of skill, with each player needing to summon the drive and adaptability of their younger selves. This sentiment captures what Sharma, Kohli and (Steve) Smith will confront this series. They know that opposition teams have scrutinised their techniques, studied their weaknesses and developed strategies specifically to exploit even minor chinks. Against New Zealand, Kohli endured his lowest-ever aggregate in a home Test series where he batted at least six times, scoring only 93 runs at an average of 15.50, with one half-century. This poor run has lowered his Test average to 47.83 from a peak of 55.10 in October 2019 -- the first time it has dipped below 48 since November 2016. He has dropped out of top-20 batters in ICC Test rankings for the first time in a decade. Kohli dropped eight spots to 22nd in the rankings while Rohit slipped to 26th. For Kohli, the task is one of rejuvenation. Known for his unmatched intensity, passion and high standards, Kohli's recent travails will have annoyed him, Chappell wrote. The aggressive mindset that propelled him to greatness must now coexist with patience and focus. He enters this series hungry to reiterate his authority as India's most formidable batsman of his generation. For Rohit, according to Chappell, the challenge lies in balancing his aggressive instincts with the calculated caution that Test cricket demands. As captain, he must maintain his own form while shouldering the pressure of leadership a delicate balance he'll need to master if India is to thrive. This Test series, then, is more than just another chapter in cricket; it is a testament to the challenges that father time presents to even the most skilled players. Each player is more than a celebrated cricketer; they are icons of the determination and skill that defines our game. This series will be a defining chapter in their legacies. For Sharma, Kohli, and (Steve) Smith, the true battle is not against their opponents but against time itself, Chappell wrote.
Ageing Kohli, Rohit must rekindle youthful mindset: Greg Chappell
Melbourne: As Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma prepare for one of their careers defining challenges in Australia in the upcoming Test series, former India head coach Greg Chappell believes the stalwart duo can rekindle the energy and focus of their youth to rediscover their lost glory. Wounded by an unprecedented 0-3 home series defeat to Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
PM Modi greets BJP veteran L K Advani on his birthday
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted BJP stalwart L K Advani on his birthday on Friday and said that among India's most admired statesmen, he has devoted himself to furthering the country's development.Advani, former deputy prime minister and former BJP president, turned 97 on Friday. Best wishes to Shri LK Advani Ji on his birthday. This year is even more special because he was conferred the Bharat Ratna for his outstanding service to our nation, Modi said on X. Among India's most admired statesmen, he has devoted himself to furthering India's development. He has always been respected for his intellect and rich insights. I am fortunate to have received his guidance for many years. I pray for his long and healthy life, the prime minister said.
What we could pick up from the US elections
BENGALURU: I am no expert on politics. For the longest time, I thought a psephologist is someone who can mimic Saif Ali Khan! But the brazen style of lobbying, campaigning and promotions in the US elections caught my attention. Having followed Indian elections for decades, we can certainly pick up a few points from the US. This is not to denigrate the Indian electoral system - which I believe is robust by itself. But it wouldnt hurt to adopt a few aspects from the Divided States of America. The presidential debate is something Id like to see among our candidates. Not just at the prime ministerial level, but also at the grassroots. Our politicians are very comfortable with mud-slinging and character assassination. Instead, get them on a stage together. Imagine Modi and Rahul Gandhi debating each other - asking relevant questions across the board! This, without the hordes of people who come for free beer and biryani. Gone are the days of politicians addressing crowds while dressed in white. Imagine Modi on the BeerBiceps podcast or Rahul Gandhi on Tanmay Bhats stream.Where they discuss memes and movies - giving us a peek into who they really are. What we get instead are hagiographic movies that give film critics like me nightmares. Even better - go one step ahead and place the candidates in a Bigg Boss house. Watch how they behave in real life among equals. Notice if they are judicious in the allocation and management of resources to assess their economic policies. The other shocking point in the US was the outright support of news organisations to political parties. Theres no beating about the Bush, or sitting on the Pence. News channels directly ask you to vote for a party. How long do we endure the subtle promotion of political parties on our news channels? If you cannot give the audiences fair journalism, at least respect our intelligence. Reveal your sources and biases. The other striking feature is the nature of rhetoric in the US. Movies and documentaries are made on presidential candidates. Cartoon shows lampoon political stalwarts. Talk show hosts openly criticise and rebuke flawed policies and faux pas alike. No offence is taken. Compare that with our country, where memes could land you in jail. Youd have to spend a few months earning black bucks by making furniture and cakes. To an unbiased alien from Neptune, a political leader is simply a representative of the people - nothing more, nothing less. But we have a knack for either elevating our politicians to demigods or reducing them to clowns. Then there are the slogans they use - Yes We Can and Make America Great Again. Imagine realistic slogans for our leaders Vote for me. Or else. International magazines will tell us that the future of the world will depend on the results. But we in India know the truth - nothing really changes. The wheels of time keep turning, as we secretly send each other political memes. The difference between a gangster and a politician is that a gangster will not take offence to this joke Osho (probably!!). (The writers views are personal)
Hyderabad: Man Loses Rs 38.45 Lakh in Online Trading Scam
Cybercriminals try to use the appeal of celebrity to trick gullible customers into visiting malicious websites which can be used to install malware or steal personal information and passwords. (Representional Image) Cybercriminals try to use the appeal of celebrity to trick gullible customers into visiting malicious websites which can be used to install malware or steal personal information and passwords. (Representional Image) Hyderabad: A 42-year-old man from Meerpet reported losing Rs 38.45 lakh in an online trading scam. The victim was lured into investing in a fraudulent stock trading scheme, which was promoted through an advertisement on YouTube by a group posing as representatives of a well-known firm. The scammers falsely promised high returns from IPOs and stock investments. The victim after clicking the advertisement was directed to a WhatsApp group. He was later approached by one individual claiming to be an assistant to the CEO of the firm. Following the callers directions, the victim opened an institutional account, submitted personal details, and invested large sums of money into stocks over a period of time as suggested by the group. However, after seeing initial profits, he attempted to withdraw and the victim was asked for additional funds. He then realised that the entire scheme was a fraud. A case has been registered by cybercrime authorities under the BNS and the IT Act.
Rohit, Kohli under fire after team India's white-wash against NZ
Mumbai: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma came under fire on Monday as India chewed over a 3-0 Test series home defeat to New Zealand, with critics calling the team ageing and low on confidence. The cricket superpower went down by 25 runs on Sunday in the third Test inside three days at Mumbai for only their second series whitewash at home. It sealed New Zealand's historic first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil. For India there is little time to fix things -- they travel to Australia for a five-match Test series starting on November 22. Losing 3-0 at home is a tough pill to swallow and it calls for introspection, former skipper Sachin Tendulkar wrote on social media. Was it lack of preparation, was it poor shot selection or was it lack of match practice? India went into the series against the Black Caps second in the ICC Test rankings, behind Australia, and as clear favourites. But repeated batting collapses -- they were 46 all out in their first innings in the opening Test -- set alarm bells ringing. It hardly got much better from there. I accept the fact that we were not good enough with the bat in the entire series, said skipper Rohit. It particularly showed up the Indian batsmen's surprising inability to handle spinners on turning pitches in their own back yard. Mitchell Santner took 13 wickets in the second match while Mumbai-born New Zealander Ajaz Patel took 11 in the third Test to condemn India. Lack of motivation? With Australia looming large, the form of 37-year-old Rohit and superstar batsman Kohli, 35, is of particular concern to Indian cricket fans. Rohit made 91 runs in three matches. Kohli just 93. The cold fact is that this is now a team in transition with key figures ageing, out of form and low on confidence, the Times of India newspaper wrote. Two of their stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, seem to be in a state of terminal batting decline with a strange reluctance to acknowledge it and take corrective action like polishing their game by playing in domestic cricket, it added. Indian media reported that all senior players, including Rohit and Kohli, had been advised to play the domestic Duleep Trophy four-day matches, but the players refused due to a lack of motivation. They should have had some practice, definitely, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told the Indian Express. I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it was going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand, Gavaskar added. But New Zealand, obviously, had a better attack, with cricketers who have played in India and in the IPL, who have a sense of what Indian pitches do. Rohit and Kohli retired from T20 cricket after the team's World Cup triumph in June. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 38, and Ravindra Jadeja, 35, also suddenly look like age is catching up with them, critics said.
Tirumala Nambi Sattumora observed at Tirumala
Tirupati: The annual Tirumala Nambi Sattumora was observed at Tirumala on Sunday. This event honours Sri Tirumala Nambi, a Sri Vaishnavite devotee renowned for introducing the Theertha Kainkaryam (holy water service) to the sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. There is a dedicated temple to Sri Tirumala Nambi on South Mada Street, where this Sattumora took place with religious fervour. November holds special significance in the Tirumala hill town as it marks several Tiru Nakshatrotsavamsdedicated to the birth stars of revered devotees and sages, celebrated annually in their memory. Following Tirumala Nambi's Sattumora, on November 6, devotees will observe the Sattumora of Sri Manavala Mahamuni, believed to be an incarnation of Sri Ramanujacharya, who lived in the 14th century. Furthermore, on November 9, the Tiru Nakshatram of Sri Vaishnavite saints such as Atri Maharshi, Sri Pillailokacharya, Sri Poigai Alwar, and Sri Pudattalwar will be celebrated. The Sattumora of Vedanta Desika is also planned for this day. Celebrations will continue with the Varsha Tiru Nakshatram of Peyalwar on November 10 and Sri Yajnavalkya Jayanti on November 11, allowing devotees to pay homage to the spiritual stalwarts who have contributed to the service of Srivaru over the centuries.
First time in 91 years: Bungling India whitewashed 0-3 at home
Mumbai: The fortress had been breached already. On Sunday, it just crumbled to the ground with the Indian dressing room sitting stone-faced, trying to process a fall so spectacular that nobody saw it coming. For the first time in their Test history, which goes back to 1933, the 'Tigers' at home had been whitewashed in a series of three or more games. The humiliation was inflicted by New Zealand, a side that landed here after being thrashed 0-2 by a Sri Lankan team that is in transition. The Black Caps were also without their biggest batting star -- Kane Williamson, thanks to injury. Yet, it was a full-strength India that looked confused and short of preparation throughout a rubber they were expected to win and win comfortably at that. The 25-run loss in the third Test in front of a buzzing Wankhede crowd, that just a few months ago feted a T20 world champion Indian side, was a stunning reminder of how fortunes swing wildly in sport. Having already conceded the series 0-2, the Indians should have been able to pull one back. It wasn't an unfair expectation, the chase was a mere 147 runs but it was on a track that looked like a minefield to the entire home line-up except Rishabh Pant (64). On Sunday, all Pant needed or wanted was for someone to hang in there. Nobody seemed capable. From Virat Kohli to skipper Rohit Sharma to Shubman Gill to Sarfaraz Khan, none looked to have learnt their lessons. Five key wickets were lost for a mere 16 runs at the start of an embarrassing collapse with the Jogeshwari's very own Ajaz Patel making them dance to his tunes for a haul of 11 wickets in the match. The left-arm wpinner now has a staggering 25 Test wickets at the Wankhede in just two matches, making him the most successful overseas bowler at the venue after the great Ian Botham (22). Something like this will be a very low point of my career and I take full responsibility for it. With the bat, I was not good enough, a desolate Rohit admitted in the post-match press conference struggling to explain clearly just what has gone so wrong with this team. Coach Gautam Gambhir, who has remained bullish up until now, will certainly have a few questions to answer going forward if the tide does not turn dramatically in Australia, starting November 22. With this truly humbling result, the Indians were thrown off the top position in the World Test Championship points table. A spot in the final next summer, which once seemed quite certain, will now have to be fought for and that too quite vigorously. It is the first time that an Indian team has been whitewashed in a three-match series. The last time India suffered a humiliation of this scale was more than two decades ago in 2000 when it lost 0-2 to South Africa. Interestingly, a World Cup-winning stalwart in Kapil Dev was in charge of the team as head coach even at that time. That result had ended the great Sachin Tendulkar's run as captain of the team and Kapil's tenure as coach. What happens after the current loss will be eagerly watched. Chase gone wrong and Pant heroics With 55 runs needed in the post lunch session and five wickets intact, India's hopes rested on Pant but he ended up falling to a contentious third-umpire call. It ended a heroic push-back from the fearless man, who pulled the side out of a rut after it had ben reduced to 29 for five. India's ineptness had exerted pressure on Pant, who could not have responded any better against the odds until the ghosts of inaccurate technology in the game arrived to haunt him and India. Pant had belittled every challenge that New Zealand threw at him, blasting nine fours and a six to make 64 from only 57 balls. Having not taken a review earlier in the morning session for a leg-before, New Zealand burned one when they took against Pant for a caught-behind but the replays showed Patel's delivery in the 22nd over had neither been in contact with the bat or the gloves. But on the next, Pant was contentiously adjudged out caught-behind by third umpire. DRS replays showed a tiny spike, which Pant felt was the sound of his bat brushing the pads, but former Australia player and third umpire Paul Reiffel ruled it against the Indian. Until he fell to Patel for his fifth wicket in the innings and 10th in the match, Pant had thoroughly dominated the New Zealand spinner, clobbering five fours and a six to collect 34 runs off his 27 deliveries. For yet another instance, captain Rohit's ultra-aggressive approach to take on the bowlers, when a calculated approach was required in a tricky situation, had him walking back and perhaps for the last time at his home turf. Rohit's (11) erroneous attempt to play his signature pull shot off Matt Henry on a delivery which was barely waist-high led to his fall. As soon as Rohit's top edge went up, Henry broke into celebration knowing it was headed towards Glenn Phillips - one of the best fielders - who ran behind from midwicket to take a fine catch. Coming off a fine 146-ball 90, Gill shouldered arms on a delivery from Patel (4/43) expecting the ball to turn away but it straightened to crash into his off-stump. Kohli (1) marched onto the ground once again with his bat trained on his shoulder, perhaps to exude confidence, but he could not reach the pitch of a floated delivery which took the edge of his bat to the first slip. From the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) watched this surrender and he too became a part of it when he was beaten by Phillips (3/42) for a leg-before. Sarfaraz (0) went for a pre-meditated sweep shot on the first ball for the second time in the Test and paid a heavy price too, top edging it for Rachin Ravindra to move in from deep square leg and complete a pair for the batter.
Ria, holding the position of Assistant Collector in Alwar, Rajasthan, earned the 15th rank in the 2020 UPSC exams
A video of a woman stealing Halloween candy kept for children in Canada has gone viral on the internet, sparking reactions from netizens.
J-K MLA Devender Singh Rana's untimely demise shocking: PM Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed shock at the death of BJP MLA and veteran Jammu and Kashmir leader Devender Singh Rana. PM Modi said on X, Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji's untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J-K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti. Rana (59), Union Minister Jitendra Singh's brother, was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Haryana's Faridabad, where he passed away. Rana was a stalwart leader of the Jammu region and leading face of the National Conference, especially in the Jammu region, for decades before he joined the BJP in 2021. After the abrogation of Article 370, Rana became a vocal advocate for the Jammu Declaration, calling for statehood restoration specifically for the Jammu region. His stance clashed with the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, a coalition seeking the restoration of Article 370 and statehood for the entire Jammu and Kashmir region. He won the recent assembly polls from the Nagrota constituency with the highest margin in Jammu and Kashmir.
Continuous efforts being made to 'appropriate' Sardar Patel's legacy: Congress
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, while alleging that continuous efforts are being made to appropriate Patels legacy by those whose ideological gurus opposed the Quit India Movement and criticised the Constitution. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated, Respectful tributes to the Iron Man of India, the first Deputy Prime Minister of the country, former Congress President and our idol, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji, who made an independent India a complete country, on his birth anniversary. He added, Sardar Patel's personality and thoughts will always inspire future generations to serve the nation, in a post on X. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi remembered Patel as a leader who unified the country through unity and integrity. His footprints that united India and established love and brotherhood in the country always guide us, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. ' ' pic.twitter.com/Ux1Hyg0Ils Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 31, 2024 Taking a jibe at the RSS, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera paid his tributes to Patel, saying, Sardar Patel kept the Sanghis under control, so today all the Sanghis are also forced to bow before this lifelong Congressman. A few years ago, these same Sanghis used to print and distribute books against Sardar Saheb, he remarked on X. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, hailed Patel as a pivotal figure in both the freedom movement and the post-1947 formation of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is an immortal part of the nations history. He was also a stalwart Congressman. Continuous efforts are being made to (mis)appropriate his legacy by those whose ideological gurus opposed the Quit India Movement, in which the Sardar was jailed for almost three years, and who criticised the Constitution, a key committee of which was chaired by the Sardar later, Ramesh noted in a post on X. This only exposes the insecurities and hypocrisy of the (mis)appropriators, he added. Ramesh further recalled that it was Jawaharlal Nehru who inaugurated a bronze bust of Patel in Godhra on 13 February 1949. He said the inscription below the bust highlights this fact. The bust had been installed by local Congress members in Godhra, as it was the place where Patel had commenced his legal practice. Identify urban Naxals and unmask them, says PM Modi in his National Unity Day speech Ramesh noted, Nehru had come to Godhra after laying the foundation for the educational township Vallabh Vidya Nagar near Anandnamed, of course, after Sardar Patel. At Godhra, Nehru spoke of how averse he was to the unveiling of statues, especially for living personalities, but he had made an exception in the case of Sardar Patel because they were the closest of colleagues and because of the Sardars unique contributions to the making of Independent India. This is among the very few, if not the only, busts of Sardar Patel erected while he was alive. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her tribute on X, called Patel one of the architects of modern India, saying, From India's freedom struggle to the creation of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji's contribution is an example of service and dedication towards the country. The Congress, on its official X handle, added that Patel will always continue to inspire the people of the country. Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, in 1875, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a prominent figure in India's struggle for Independence. Renowned for his exceptional leadership and unyielding commitment to national integration, he is remembered as the Iron Man of India. He passed away in 1950.
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, while alleging that continuous efforts are being made to appropriate Patels legacy by those whose ideological gurus opposed the Quit India Movement and criticised the Constitution. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated, Respectful tributes to the Iron Man of India, the first Deputy Prime Minister of the country, former Congress President and our idol, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji, who made an independent India a complete country, on his birth anniversary. He added, Sardar Patel's personality and thoughts will always inspire future generations to serve the nation, in a post on X. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Congress President Rahul Gandhi remembered Patel as a leader who unified the country through unity and integrity. His footprints that united India and established love and brotherhood in the country always guide us, Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. ' ' pic.twitter.com/Ux1Hyg0Ils Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 31, 2024 Taking a jibe at the RSS, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera paid his tributes to Patel, saying, Sardar Patel kept the Sanghis under control, so today all the Sanghis are also forced to bow before this lifelong Congressman. A few years ago, these same Sanghis used to print and distribute books against Sardar Saheb, he remarked on X. Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, hailed Patel as a pivotal figure in both the freedom movement and the post-1947 formation of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is an immortal part of the nations history. He was also a stalwart Congressman. Continuous efforts are being made to (mis)appropriate his legacy by those whose ideological gurus opposed the Quit India Movement, in which the Sardar was jailed for almost three years, and who criticised the Constitution, a key committee of which was chaired by the Sardar later, Ramesh noted in a post on X. This only exposes the insecurities and hypocrisy of the (mis)appropriators, he added. Ramesh further recalled that it was Jawaharlal Nehru who inaugurated a bronze bust of Patel in Godhra on 13 February 1949. He said the inscription below the bust highlights this fact. The bust had been installed by local Congress members in Godhra, as it was the place where Patel had commenced his legal practice. Identify urban Naxals and unmask them, says PM Modi in his National Unity Day speech Ramesh noted, Nehru had come to Godhra after laying the foundation for the educational township Vallabh Vidya Nagar near Anandnamed, of course, after Sardar Patel. At Godhra, Nehru spoke of how averse he was to the unveiling of statues, especially for living personalities, but he had made an exception in the case of Sardar Patel because they were the closest of colleagues and because of the Sardars unique contributions to the making of Independent India. This is among the very few, if not the only, busts of Sardar Patel erected while he was alive. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her tribute on X, called Patel one of the architects of modern India, saying, From India's freedom struggle to the creation of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji's contribution is an example of service and dedication towards the country. The Congress, on its official X handle, added that Patel will always continue to inspire the people of the country. Born in Nadiad, Gujarat, in 1875, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a prominent figure in India's struggle for Independence. Renowned for his exceptional leadership and unyielding commitment to national integration, he is remembered as the Iron Man of India. He passed away in 1950.
Hyderabad: Out on Bail, Scammer Restarts Cybercrime
Cybercriminals try to use the appeal of celebrity to trick gullible customers into visiting malicious websites which can be used to install malware or steal personal information and passwords. (Representional Image) Cybercriminals try to use the appeal of celebrity to trick gullible customers into visiting malicious websites which can be used to install malware or steal personal information and passwords. (Representional Image) Hyderabad: In his tweet, a netizen pointed out how one of the cybercriminals, who was earlier arrested by the police and released on bail, got back to his old life and restarted his cyber fraud once again. The netizen named Vinay posted a screenshot of a recording of an accused named Sirigidi Praveen, who was luring the people to invest. Praveen was arrested in March 2023 from Kerela in connection with his habitual cyber crime in the name of investments. However, he was later released on bail and reportedly restarted his past activities. When Vinay tweeted, Rachakonda police responded and asked him to furnish further details. IT Cell ACP Narender said the tweet came to their notice and they were analysing the data. We are yet to get the clarity if the account handler himself was a victim or he came across any other victim. Vinay did not respond so far. Meanwhile, we are looking for the whereabouts of the accused. And when there is a clarity on the incident, a case will be registered with the cybercrime police and they will take up the investigation, he said.
AIADMK Leader Supports Vijays Remark
Chennai: Former Minister and senior AIADMK leader, D Jayakumar, fully endorsed the remarks of the president of the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, on the DMK dubbing the BJP as fascist and accused the ruling party in the State of suppressing dissent and criticism by arresting its critics and putting them in jail. Jayakumar was speaking to the media after garlanding a statue of freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar in Chennai when he said it was the DMK that was indeed a fascist organization though it called the BJP fascist. Earlier, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami had said that Vijay was expressing his view and that had nothing to say on that. He even said that there was nothing wrong in quoting AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran at the TVKs maiden political conference at V Salai near Vikravandi in Villupuram district on October 27. Vijays nearly 45 minutes speech at the conference had stirred a hornets nest as he named the ruling DMK as the political enemy and accused its present leadership of hoodwinking the people by using the name of stalwarts like Periyar E V Ramasamy, whom he identified as one of the guiding forces of his party. Ever since he mocked the DMK for calling the BJP a fascist organization and also projected himself as a crusader against corruption, social media has been abuzz with several self-styled critics finding fault with him on several counts. Some of the critics had even said that Vijay had the habit of taking a part of the payment for his film in cash without substantiating it. On Wednesday, Vijay, however, praised DMK founder C N Annadurai for his legacy of handing over the tradition of writing political letters to the people of Tamil Nadu. He also wrote an epistle to his cadre, the first after the conference. Since Vijay had no real connection with his party cadre, who were his former film fans, critics had been wondering as to how a political party could be run with a remote control. They have also questioned his ideological moorings, wondering which side of the political spectrum he stood on, as it could not be deciphered from the guiding political icons he had named at the conference. For each one of them represented different political thoughts. So, the key criticism against Vijays political philosophy is that it looks like a mish mash of several ideologies and is not focused on anything.
Poll time and its all in the family for Jharkhand parties
RANCHI: Many political stalwarts in Jharkhand have roped in their wives, daughters and daughters-in-law to save their ground. There are different reasons for roping in women on the seats earlier represented by others for years. Besides, there is also the fear of turf loss. For the first time, two daughters-in-law of Jharkhands biggest political family, the Sorens, are busy building and protecting their political base. Then, there is the question of political legacy in the case of RJD minister Satyanand Bhokta, former chief minister Raghuvar Das and former MLA Samaresh Singh. The first such prominent face is Purnima Das Sahu, the daughter-in-law of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das. She is contesting from Jamshedpur East. Raghubar Das won the seat from 1995 to 2014, becoming the chief minister. Das was defeated by former minister and BJP rebel Saryu Roy in 2019, following which he was made Odisha governor. However, the BJP expressed confidence in his daughter-in-law Purnima, who is contesting against former MP Ajay Kumar. Another such candidate is RJDs Chatra candidate Rashmi Prakash, the daughter-in-law of minister Satyanand Bhokta. The seat is reserved for Scheduled Caste, but Bhoktas have now been included in Scheduled Tribe, he would not be able to contest from the seat anymore. In order to save his political ground, Bhokta married his son off to a Scheduled Tribe girl, Rashmi Prakash, and managed a representation for her from the seat. Rashmi Prakash is now contesting against LJP candidate Janardan Paswan. Another name is Deepika Pandey Singh, who is the daughter-in-law of former minister in united Bihar, Awadh Bihari Singh. Singh won the election for the first time in 2019 on the Congress ticket, and is fielded again this time against BJPs Ashok Bhagat. Meera Munda, wife of former Union Minister Ajun Munda, has been fielded by the BJP from Potka Assembly seat. Her chance came as Munda was reluctant to contest this time and wanted his wife to replace him on traditional seat, Kharsawan, where she has been active. High-profile names Kalpana & Sita Soren: After the death of Shibu Sorens elder son Durga Soren in 2009, his wife Sita was elected. She left the party ahead of Lok Sabha polls and joined BJP and earned her candidature from unreserved Jamtara seat. On the other hand, Kalpana Soren, wife of CM Hemant Soren, entered politics this year and won Gandey by-polls. She is fielded again. Purnima Neeraj Singh & Ragini Singh: Two daughters-in-law of a family are up against each other in Jharia.
Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival brings theatre stalwarts to Hyderabad
The 19th annual Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival in Hyderabad will bring a mix of satire, dance theatre, poetry and stand-up comedy
Indian Navy's 262 indigenous projects under advance stage
NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy's institutional approach towards the indigenisation and innovation is bearing fruits with more than 250 projects covering the design and development areas. This holds significance in keeping the supply chain issues plaguing the country's several military projects. Sources told TNIE, 262 projects in the field of design and development are at various stages of staff evaluation, of which 171 projects have been contracted under iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) scheme. Also, the recently concluded DefConnect 4.0 saw a financial commitment of 132.5 crore to the Indian Navy's innovation efforts in a single launch of problem statements. Major equipment under indigenisation through 97 projects of TDF, Make and Revenue routes are accounting for about 850 crore, added source. iDEX platform, under the aegis of the Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, was launched in 2018. It aims to foster innovation & technology development in defence and aerospace by engaging innovators & entrepreneurs to deliver technologically advanced solutions for modernising the Indian Military. The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Defence executed by DRDO under 'Make in India' initiative. The DefConnect is an event organised by iDEX bringing together the start-ups and the multifarious stakeholders: armed forces, innovators, start-ups, and industry leaders.The event aims to showcase cutting-edge technologies and foster collaboration among the stakeholders. Indian Navy has been at the forefront since 1965 in focusing towards indigenisation of the design, and development as the leadership, said the sources believes in a robust indigenous industry which is crucial for sustaining an omnipresent blue-water force that the Indian Navy has evolved into. Disruption of global supply chains due to isolated conflicts and amorphous shift of geo-political alliances has served as a stark reminder, time and again of the need to be self-reliant from system-level down to the most singular component-level. With changing dimensions of war, the cost of technology denial can be crippling. Importing technology is not a sustainable option for a rising global force such as the Indian Navy, which is already a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region., In order to remain a modern and combat-ready force, the Indian Navy has committed to be 100% self-reliant by pursuing indigenisation activities from component level upwards; and leapfrogging technology through various avenues. The approach of the Indian Navy encompasses the potential of the Indian Industry. The Indian shipbuilding industry has come of age with 63 out of 65 IN Ships under construction presently being built at Indian shipyards turning the Indian Navy into a Builder's Navy. Talking about the overall growth in this regard, about 90, 60 and 50 % of indigenous content has been achieved in the aspects of Float, Move and Fight categories, respectively, sources added. The float part includes Hull and its related fittings and components, Move includes the engine and whatever makes it move, Complete propulsions systems, associated machinery and auxiliaries. Fight, includes, sensors and weapons. The Indian Navy is now focussing its indigenisation efforts in the domains of propulsion, power generation, weapons and sensors. The Indigenisation Units (IUs) at Visakhapatnam for ENC & ANC; and at Mumbai for WNC under the umbrella of Centre for Indigenisation & Self Reliance (CISR) at Coimbatore lead the 'bottom-up' approach of Indigenisation, catering to the indigenisation needs of field units. CISR has also reached out to and engaged with more than 30 industries to map their capability for specific indigenisation needs. A dedicated indigenisation Roll-on Plan for 2023-26 is in force for progressing indigenisation of assembly, sub-assembly and components. Under the Year On Year Roll-on Plans, about 5000 items have been indigenised so far. The indigenisation roadmaps for the foreign-origin IN Ships Vikramaditya, Talwar Class frigates, P-75 Scorpene submarines and Deepak - class tankers are already in place and progressing to replace the foreign-origin equipment on these platforms with Indian-made equipment over the next few years. Combined with the sustained impetus on increasing the indigenous content in ships under construction; and the design and construction of ships within India, the shipbuilding industry is well poised to support the Indian Navy. Over 9000 applications that the Armed Forces received for iDEX challenges, specifically from start-ups and MSME amply proves that there is growth in the defence eco-system. With the IN expecting to ramp up the indigenous content across platforms, the items on the government's Positive Indigenisation Lists (PIL), items uploaded on the Srijan Portal, and those listed in the Indian Navy's Swavlamban document are markers for the industry to take up and contribute to defence production. Also, in the process, the Indian Navy's Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) Seminar, Swavlamban is scheduled on 28 and 29 October in New Delhi. It is the 3rd edition, with the Indian Navy receiving more than 2000 proposals from the Indian industry that have been converted into 155 challenges to facilitate the development of prototypes. This initiative has enabled collaboration with more than 200 MSMEs/ Startups under the iDEX Scheme. This year's edition has been expanded to include the achievements of sister services and CAPFs as well, fostering a wholesome defence innovation and indigenous collaborative ecosystem.
All eyes on Vijay as actor likely to spell out party ideology today
Villupuram (Tamil Nadu): Months after announcing his political party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), top Tamil actor Vijay is likely to spell out his political agenda and vision for the state during his keenly watched maiden public meeting here on Sunday. Vijay has announced facing the 2026 Assembly polls, spicing up the political battlefield long dominated by the Dravidian rivals DMK and the AIADMK, with a resurgent BJP under K Annamalai making some impressive strides in this year's Lok Sabha polls. The saffron party is keen to put up a good show in the hustings in 2026 as well. Vijay, whose movies have been top grossers, unveiled his party in February this year, joining a list of Tamil cinema celebrities who had taken the political plunge. He had unveiled the TVK party flag recently and the Sunday public conference at Vikravandi in this district is being keenly watched by political parties, observers and people alike as he is all set to unveil his vision for the state and the political agenda. Although, the 50 year-old actor-politician has given adequate hints of not deviating from the current political trends, as he has spoken out against NEET, a political hot potato in Tamil Nadu. A number of medical aspirants, starting from S Anitha of Ariyalur way back in 2017 have ended their lives over either failure to crack the qualifying test or due to fears of unable to clear it. That the conference venue had cutouts of Dravidian stalwart EV Ramasamy 'Periyar', besides that of BR Ambedkar gave ample hints of his party's principles. A cutout of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister K Kamaraj was also spotted at the venue. Tamil Nadu has always been opposed to NEET, with both the AIADMK in the past and the ruling DMK piloting Assembly resolutions calling for a 'ban' on NEET. Vijay's latest film, the big budget, multi-starrer 'GOAT' is said to be his swansong work. With their leader all set to address them later in the day, his supporters started thronging the conference venue early on Sunday, braving the hot sun and with a hope to catch a glimpse of their 'Thalapathy,' or the Commander as he is addressed by them. Vijay is the latest big ticket entrant to the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, with actor Kamal Haasan being the last one to launch his Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) about six years ago. Prior to that, the late Vijayakanth had launched his Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam way back in 2005 and tasted electoral success, although Hassan has not been in a similar league. While superstar Rajinikanth had announced taking the political plunge a few years ago, he later backtracked citing health reasons. The iconic M G Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, is seen as the trendsetter of cinema-to-politics graduation, when he founded the AIADMK in 1972 after being expelled from the DMK by its then chief M Karunanidhi. MGR later went on to rule the state from 1977-87 till his death. His protege, yesteryear actor, the late J Jayalalithaa also is also a former CM. Karunanidhi was also involved in cinema, as a screenplay and dialogue writer. Other actors, including MGR's contemporary, late thespian Sivaji Ganesan and K Bhagyaraj too dabbled in politics briefly with their own respective parties and outfits.
CSK will retain Dhoni, Gaikwad, Jadeja, Rachin, Pathirana ahead of IPL auction: Harbhajan
New Delhi: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh feels five-time champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will retain stalwart M.S. Dhoni, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Rachin Ravindra and pacer Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction. The veteran spinner expressed his uncertainty over Dhonis Indian Premier League (IPL) future but asserted that Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
I spoke with Dave: Cummins clears air around Warner's comeback for India tests
Sydney: Clearing the air around the whole David Warner comeback debate, Australia captain Pat Cummins said that the team is not considering the legendary opener for the all important 5-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against team India. The left-handed batter, who played his last test match against Pakistan at Sydney in January has offered to come out of retirement to help the side if need be but Cummins indicated that the team has moved on. Dave we are very interested, we're taking it very seriously and we'll be in touch, mate just watch that phone, said Cummins in jest before adding, Uh, we love Davey (Warner) but he's retired, sorry, the Aussie captain said. I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. I cant remember if he reached out or I did. He's like, what do you think? and i was like, Yeah, good luck with (Sydney) Thunder and I look forward to your comments on Fox, Cummins said talking in a podcast video. We'll welcome India with green tops The pace bowling stalwart, who will again be leading in a five-match Test series against India starting November 22 in Perth, said that if he had his way, he would welcome India with green tops to make life difficult for the visitors. I wish if I had it my way I would be looking like those bushes behind you. Unfortunately, I don't have any sway (on the preparation of wickets), so we'll wait and see, said Cummins in response to the host's question on the amount of grass he would like to see on the pitches for the crucial series. Loss in 2018-19 series more hurtful than 2020-21 defeat to India Australia skipper Pat Cummins believes that the 2018-19 Test series loss to India was more hurtful than the 2020-21 debacle under his captaincy as the home team was simply outplayed in that engagement.India, under Virat Kohli, defeated Australia 2-1 in the 2018-19 rubber with the skipper and Cheteshwar Pujara playing a pivotal role in the historic triumph against the Tim Paine-led side. During the 2020-2021 series, a hugely-depleted Indian side again bagged the series 2-1, defeating the hosts at their stronghold Gabba for the first time in a Test match in 32 years. I actually thought the series before (2018-19) was worse because we got completely beaten whereas that series (in 2020-21) was quite (keenly) fought. I thought they (India) played like fantastically well to win at the Gabba, Cummis told The Grade Cricketer podcast. That (defeat) was annoying but I felt like the series before, where we were like completely outplayed, that would hurt more for me, he said.
Clarke wants specialist Test opener, not Smith, for Australias series against India
Sydney, Oct 24 (PTI) Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has asked Australia to consider a specialist opener instead of a misfiring Steven Smith during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against India at home, starting next month.The batting stalwarts preferred batting position in Tests is No. 4 but he took on the role of opener after []
Maharashtra Assembly polls: Congress announces first list of 48 candidates, retains 25 sitting MLAs
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday announced its first list of 48 candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly polls, fielding its state unit chief Nana Patole from Sakoli, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan from Karad South and Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar from Brahmapuri. The party has retained 25 sitting MLAs in the first list. The opposition party also fielded former ministers Nitin Raut and Balasaheb Thorat from Nagpur North and Sangamner, respectively, Jyoti Eknath Gaikwad from Dharavi, Amit Deshmukh from Latur City and Dheeraj Deshmukh from Latur Rural. Mohammad Aarif Naseem Khan has been fielded from Chandivali, Aslam Sheikh from Malad West, Ranjit Kamble from Deoli and Vikas Thakre from Nagpur West. In Raver in Jalgaon district, the party has fielded Dhananjay Chaudhari, son of sitting MLA Shirish Chaudhari. Muzafar Hussain has been fielded from Mira Bhayander in Thane district. In Bhokar, Congress' Trupti Kondekar will take on BJP's Srijaya Chavan, daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Chavan, a former CM who left the grand old party and joined the BJP recently. Chavan's relative Meenal Khatgaonkar has been fielded by the Congress from Naigaon, while Praful Gudadhe will take on senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis from Nagpur South West assembly seat. The Congress has given tickets to former MLAs Gopaldas Agarwal and Sunil Deshmukh from Gondia and Amravati, respectively. The two had switched to the BJP but recently returned to the Congress. Jyoti Gaikwad is the sister of Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, who was Dharavi MLA for four terms before being elected to the Lok Sabha from Mumbai North Central in the 2024 general elections. Amit and Dheeraj Deshmukh are sons of former chief minister and Congress stalwart late Vilasrao Deshmukh. The list comes a day after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of the Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) announced that they will contest 85 seats each in the November 20 polls. However, deliberations to seal a final pact are still underway. The three allies are discussing the sharing of the remaining 33 seats of the total 288 among themselves and smaller parties. Addressing a press conference here in the evening, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said a consensus has been reached on 270 of the 288 seats. We will include the Samajwadi Party, PWP, CPI(M), CPI and AAP. Discussions are still on for the remaining seats. We have amicably arrived at a consensus on 270 seats. The MVA stands united to defeat the Mahayuti government, Raut said. Patole said the remaining seats will be given to smaller parties. The ruling Mahayuti alliance comprises Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23. Maharashtra Assembly polls: MVA finalises 85-85-85 deal for Uddhav Sena, Congress, Sharad Pawar's NCP
CM Omar releases Rs 1.70 Cr to fire victims of Malwarwan, Kishtwar
Jammu, Oct 23: Nearly a week, after 85 houses were gutted by a devastating fire, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday, granted financial assistance of Rs 1.70 crore in favour of the affected families of Malwarwan village of tehsil Warwan in Kishtwar district.The amount has been transferred to the official account of [] The post CM Omar releases Rs 1.70 Cr to fire victims of Malwarwan, Kishtwar appeared first on Northlines .
Sustainable Tech Solutions: CashforPhone's Vision for Refurbished and Used Phones
In an exclusive conversation, Harsh Talwar, CEO, and Mannu Talwar, COO, of CashforPhone share insights into their innovative platform that's transforming the way Indians buy, sell, and recycle mobile phones. Tell us what Cash for Phone is all about? CashforPhone is a D2C service that allows people to sell their old or unwanted smartphones for Instant cash. The process usually involves the following steps: Evaluation: Users can enter details about their phone, such as its model, condition, and any accessories included, to get an estimated value. Request a Pickup: After getting an offer for your phone, you can choose the pickup option during the selling process. Schedule the Pickup: You typically select a date and time for the pickup. Some services allow you to choose a convenient location (like your home or workplace). Pickup: Cashforphone Executive or Fulfilment Partner will come to collect your phone at the scheduled time. You will hand over the device and any accessories you agreed to include. Payment: Once the phone is checked, Agreed amount gets transferred to the customer's bank account before collecting the device. What kind of security measures do you have to ensure that buyers and sellers don't get duped by fraudsters? We have an entirely automated KYC and Agreement process: We collect the customer's ID and address proof, which are validated by government agencies like NSDL and UIDAI through their APIs to authenticate the user. We check the IMEI against the Lost and Stolen database provided by the state police portal. We verify the bill and box, ensuring the device is collected exclusively from the customers home or office. The payment is then transferred directly to the customers bank account. After payment, we execute a digital seller agreement, which includes a declaration regarding proof of ownership, legal obligations, and any potential unlawful claims related to the device. By following this protocol, we significantly reduce the risk of purchasing stolen devices. Is it just an E-commerce platform or do you ensure quality check and assist in refurbishing of phones? Cashforphone.in is more than just an e-commerce platform; we prioritise quality checks and phone refurbishment. After acquiring devices, we conduct detailed assessments to evaluate their condition. Phones that meet our quality standards may be refurbished to improve their functionality and appearance before resale. This approach guarantees that customers receive reliable devices while promoting sustainability by extending the life of electronics. We have established a state-of-the-art refurbishing lab that conducts automated testing, grading, and performance evaluations of devices. Based on the results from step 1, phones are categorized as resellable, refurbishable, or recyclable. What is the % of acceptance for refurbished and used phones among buyers in metro and non-metro locations? In India, the acceptance rates for refurbished and used phones differ between metro and non-metro areas: Metro Locations: Acceptance rates for refurbished and used phones can be around 60-75%. Consumers in these areas are generally more tech-savvy and aware of the benefits of refurbished devices, such as cost savings and sustainability. Non-Metro Locations: Acceptance tends to be lower, typically around 30-50%. Buyers in these regions may have more reservations about quality, warranty, and the overall reliability of refurbished products. These figures can vary based on specific regions, consumer education, and the reputation of the refurbishment process. In case theres a problem with a phone bought from your platform, what after sales assistance do you offer? We have developed an app that conducts functionality testing, battery stress assessments, and checks for any major component replacements. Additionally, we train our evaluation officers to assess the external condition of the device effectively. We provide a 6-month warranty on all phones sold through our platform. We offer a 15-day money-back guarantee. Each device undergoes 35+ quality checks before being sent to customers. We also provide 6 months of support for software and hardware issues, along with 1 month of accidental damage insurance. Our goal is to make technology affordable, which is why we keep our prices lower than the competition and offer a 0% EMI option at all our stores.
Kishtwar Fire | CM Omar Abdullah Releases Rs 1.70 Cr For Affected Families
JAMMU, Oct 23: Nearly a week, after 85 houses were gutted by a devastating fire, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday, granted financial assistance of Rs 1.70 crore in favour of the affected families of Malwarwan village of tehsil Warwan in Kishtwar district. The amount has been transferred to the official account of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar by the Director, Finance. In a letter to the DC Kishtwar, the Director, Finance wrote, The Chief Minister is pleased to [] The post Kishtwar Fire | CM Omar Abdullah Releases Rs 1.70 Cr For Affected Families appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
States told to brace for cyberattacks, ringfence key infra
Cyberspace is being recognized as the 'fifth dimension of warfare,' prompting the Centre to urge states to fortify Critical Information Infrastructures against malware. States are advised to appoint chief information security officers, establish security and network operations centres, and comply with central cyber safety protocols.
Danish Power Takes Cautious Approach To IPO Despite Main Market Eligibility, Says MD Shivam Talwar
Danish Power plans to use the proceeds from the IPO for expansion, including new manufacturing facilities and working capital.
Rapid Rail Expansion: New RRTS Lines To Connect Delhi With Panipat And Alwar By 2025
Akhilesh Reminds Nitish of JP Movement
By Sushil Kutty People living outside Uttar Pradesh did not know that Jayaprakash Narayan, who countered Indira Gandhis authoritarian streak with mass appeal, has a place in Lucknow to remember him by the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC). But it remains an incomplete monument and certain shades of politicians are not welcome to the compound. Among them Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav, who is adept at scaling iron gates! Like the saying goes ek mian mei doh talwar [] The post Akhilesh Reminds Nitish of JP Movement appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Currently, Namo Bharat services operate on a 42-kilometre stretch covering nine stations, including Sahibabad and Ghaziabad.
