Lahore (TIP): Ousted Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has been roasted for his comments that he made during a podcast. The clip has gone viral, where Khan is speaking about his life in the United Kingdom. However, it was one particular line that Internet picked up. “I was very welcome in the UK but I never considered it my home. I was always a Pakistani first. A donkey doesn’t turn into a zebra just because you paint stripes on it. A donkey remains a donkey,” Khan is heard saying in the viral clip, for which he was brutally trolled. (PTI)
Month: May 2022
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Pakistani man shoots dead 21-year-old sister for pursuing dancing and modelling as career
Lahore (TIP): In another suspected case of honour killing in Pakistan, a 21-year-old woman has allegedly been shot dead by her brother for pursuing dancing and modelling as a career in Punjab province. Sidra, a native of RenalaKhurdOkara, 130 km from provincial capital Lahore, was modelling for a local clothing brand and danced in theatres of Faisalabad city against the wishes of her family, according to police.
Sidra’s parents forced her to quit her profession, terming it “against family tradition” but Sidra insisted on continuing.
Police said Sidra had come home from Faisalabad to celebrate Eid with her family last week.
On Thursday, her parents and brother Hamza had an argument with her over the issue of decency in profession and beat her for insisting to stick with dancing.
Later in the day Hamza opened fire on Sidra, killing her on the spot, officials said. A murder case was registered against the suspect. Police claim to have arrested Hamza who confessed to the crime. Police officer Fraz Hamid said Hamza got infuriated at Sidra when he saw her dance performance on his mobile phone forwarded to him by a relative. He said Hamza told police that in a fit of rage he shot his sister dead. In February this year, a 19-year-old female dancer Ayesha was shot dead in Faisalabad by her ex-husband. Cases of honour killing are frighteningly regular in Pakistan, especially in areas close to the tribal regions in the north and west. (PTI)
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Diets rich in protein, niacin, zinc may boost blood-vessel health
According to a study being presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO), which is being held on May 4-7, 2022 in Maastricht, the Netherlands, there may be some very particular dietary changes you can make that will help keep your arteries healthy and flexible. The authors say that protein, niacin, and zinc were linked to improvements in both the structure and function of blood vessels in their study.
In addition, they point to a specific dietery pattern which may do a good job of providing you with these nutrients, as well as others that are linked to cardiovascular health.
The research is pre-publication and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Lead author Dr. Brurya Tal and her team at The Sagol Center for the Metabolic Syndrome, Institute of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Hypertension, Tel Aviv-Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, wrote that it is known that weight loss is associated with improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic health.
What it is not known, however, is whether any particular nutrient changes during dieting might be responsible for those improvements.
In order to investigate this question, the researchers enrolled 72 people with metabolic syndrome and obesity into a one-year weight loss program. Metabolic syndrome is defined by the American Heart AssociationTrusted Source as having at least three of the following risk factors:
– High blood sugar
– Low levels of the “good” cholesterol HDL
– High levels of triglycerides
– Excess abdominal fat
– High blood pressure
Having metabolic syndrome puts people at greater risk for heart and blood vessel diseases.
According to the World Health OrganizationTrusted Source (WHO), obesity is characterized by a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
The study participants were provided with a personalized diet and exercise plan as well as regular meetings with a doctor and a dietitian.
The average age of the participants was 53.
They were required to complete a dietary questionnaire a week before beginning the weight loss progam as well as at the end.
At the end of the year, the research team measured blood vessel flexibility in three different ways: pulse wave velocity (PWV), common carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT), and flow mediated dilation (FMD).
PWV is the rate at which pressure waves move down the vessel.
Carotid artery IMT is the thickness of the two innermost walls of the arteries which supply blood to the brain.
Source: Healthline
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Study confirms airborne transmission of coronavirus
A collaborative study by a group of scientists from the CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad and the CSIR-IMTech, Chandigarh, with hospitals in Hyderabad and Mohali has confirmed the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
The study has been published in the Journal of Aerosol Science. The exact mechanism of spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has remained elusive. Earlier thought to spread by surfaces, epidemiologists found that countries where people wore masks in the pandemic were affected less severely. However, quantitative evidence that shows the infectious coronavirus particles in air was lacking.
The scientists analysed the coronavirus’ genome content from air samples collected from different areas occupied by Covid-19 patients. These included hospitals, closed rooms in which only Covid-19 patients spent a short period of time, and houses of home-quarantined Covid-19 patients.
They found that the virus could be frequently detected in air around Covid-19 patients and that the positivity rate increased with the number of patients present in the premises. They found the virus in ICU as well as non-ICU sections of hospitals, suggesting that patients shed the virus in air irrespective of the severity of infection. The study also found viable coronavirus in air that could infect living cells, and these viruses could spread over a long range of distance. Scientists still suggest wearing face masks to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
“Our results show that coronavirus can stay in the air for some time in absence of ventilation in closed spaces. We find that the positivity rateof finding the virus in air was 75 per cent when two or more Covid-19 patients were present in a room, in contrast to 15.8 per cent when one or no Covid-19 patients occupied the room in these studies,” said Dr Shivranjani Moharir, a scientist involved in the study. Source: IANS
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Double-masking does not improve protection against Covid: Study
Double-masking might not protect against Covid-19, but rather raises the risk of infection as well as transmission, US researchers have claimed, in a study. The study published in Physics of Fluids, suggests double masking with improperly fitted masks may “not significantly improve mask efficiency and produces a false sense of security”.
“More layers mean a less porous face covering, leading to more flow forced out of the perimeter gaps (sides, top, and bottom) in masks with a less secure fit,” argued researchers at Florida State University and Johns Hopkins University. Double layers increase filtering efficiency only with good mask fit but could also lead to breathing difficulties. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, loosely woven cloth masks offer the least protection against Covid, and N95 and KN95 masks offer the most.
Still, after more than two years since the pandemic began, there is not a full understanding of mask characteristics for the most optimal protection. In the study, the team used principal component analysis (PCA) along with fluid dynamics simulation models to show the crucial importance of proper fit for all types of masks and how face shape influences the most ideal fit.
The researchers modelled a moderate cough jet from the mouth of an adult male wearing a cloth mask over the nose and mouth with elastic bands wrapped around the ears. They calculated the maximum volume flow rates through the front of the mask and peripheral gaps at different material porosity levels.
For a more realistic 3D face shape and size, the researchers used PCA that integrated 100 adult male and 100 adult female heads retrieved from head scan data at Basel University in Switzerland. PCA condenses large sets of variables while retaining most of the information. Source: IANS
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Olympic finalist thrower Kamalpreet tests positive for Ben Johnson drug
India’s top woman discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur, who finished sixth at the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021, has tested positive for a prohibited substance in a test conducted by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the body announced on Wednesday. Kaur, 26, has been handed a provisional suspension after testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid Stanozolol, AIU said on its website. AIU is an independent body of World Athletics that deals with integrity issues. The athlete from Punjab will remain suspended while seeking the testing of her B sample and a further hearing. Kaur can also accept the initial finding from the A sample testing and waive the second test and related proceedings. If found guilty, she faces a ban of up to four years. Kaur is in the World Athletics Registered Testing Pool (RTP) programme for 2022. The AIU announcement comes following days of intense speculation that the thrower has failed a dope test. She had denied the initial reports and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had not commented on the issue.
Kaur’s doping case is one of the biggest in Indian athletics and could not have come at a worse time. There is less than three months to go for the world athletics championships in Eugene, Oregon and the big year of competitions includes the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
AIU posted Kamalpreet’s case on its website and tweeted: “The AIU has provisionally suspended discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur of India for the presence/use of a prohibited substance (Stanozolol), a breach of the @World Athletics anti-doping rules.” AIU website mentions the date as March 29.
Source: HT
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Mumbai Indians edge past Gujarat Titans, win by 5 runs
Mumbai (TIP)- Pacer Daniel Sams displayed ice-cool temperament as he conceded just three runs in the last over to help Mumbai Indians pull off a stunning five-run victory over table-toppers Gujarat Titans in an IPL game.
MI were seemingly down and out with the Titans’ opening pair of Wriddhiman Saha (55 off 40 balls) and Shubman Gill (52 off 36 balls) sharing a 106-run partnership in 12.1 overs while chasing 178. However, the Titans kept losing wickets, including two crucial run-outs as they required nine runs in the last over to win the match. They could score just three, while losing one wicket to slump to their second successive defeat in the season.
For MI, who were already out of contention for a play-off berth, it was only their second win of the season as they remained at the bottom. Opting to bowl, Gujarat restricted MI to 177 for six, despite quickfire innings from opening pair of Rohit Sharma (43 off 28 balls) and Ishan Kishan (45 off 29 balls) and Tim David (44 not out off 21 balls).
Rashid Khan was the most successful bowler for the Titans with his two wickets for 24, while Pradeep Sangwan and Lockie Ferguson got one each. Alzarri Joseph also took a wicket but he bled 41 runs in his four overs.
Chasing 178, Saha looked in full flow as he cracked two fours and a six off Jasprit Bumrah’s first over, before smashing Riley Meredith for two boundaries.
Shubman Gill slog-swept Murugan Ashwin for a six, before picking up another four as the fifty-run stand came up in quick time, taking the Titans to 54 for one in six overs. The Chandigarh batter exploded in the eighth over with three boundaries off Daniel Sams, who had bowled a briliant opening over.
Kumar Kartikeya was next in line as he yielded 15 runs with Saha smashing his first ball for a four and Gill producing a clean hit over long off before slog-sweeeping the bowler for another four.
Soon, 100 was up in 11 overs with Saha also completing his fifty.
Gill too joined him as his single off Pollard took him to a 33-ball half-century.
Both Saha and Gill smashed six boundaries and two maximums each.
A bizzare hit wicket ended Sai Sudharsan’s (14) innings, while Hardik Pandya (24) fall short after going for an unnecessary single.
Needing 20 off last two overs, Miller deposited Bumrah over deep mid-wicket but the Titans couldn’t score nine of the last over lose the match.
Earlier, invited to bat, Rohit seemed to be in good touch after a series of low scores as he took the early initiative, dominating the proceedings with his strokeplay as Kishan played the second fiddle. The MI skipper was particularly harsh on Joseph as he smashed the bowler for four boundaries and a six, while Kishan joined the party in the fifth over, slamming Rashid Khan for a couple of fours to bring up their 50-run partnership.
Rohit then hit Lockie Ferguson for a four as MI posted 63 for no loss, their best in the powerplay this season.
Rashid produced the breakthrough in the eighth over, removing the dangerous Rohit, who was trapped in front while looking to play a reverse shot.
Kishan then took over, dancing down the pitch to send Rahul Tewatia over mid-wicket. Suryakumar Yadav produced his trademark whip for a maximum but perished in his next attempt off Pradeep Sangwan. Back into the attack, Joseph then struck with a slower delivery which Kishan ended up sending to Rashid at mid-wicket as MI slipped to 111 for 3 in 12 overs.
Source: PTI
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Surge in Covid cases in China sends Asiad, World University Games to 2023
The rising Covid numbers in China have forced the organisers of this year’s Hangzhou Asian Games to postpone the multi-discipline event to 2023. The decision to postpone the Asian Games, scheduled to take place in September, was taken today in a meeting involving officials of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, lies around 175 kilometres southwest of Shanghai, a city that has been under a month-long lockdown to combat Covid. China has been struggling to contain its worst outbreak since 2019. The seven-week average rose to over 20,000 cases. “Following detailed discussions with the COC and the HAGOC, the OCA Executive Board (EB) today decided to postpone the 19th Asian Games, which were scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, from 10 to 25 September 2022,” OCA said in a press statement, adding that the new dates for the event would be “announced in the near future”.
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Real Madrid rally past Manchester City
The “si se puede” (“yes we can”) chants gradually faded at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday as the minutes passed and Real Madrid looked beaten in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester City. As the end of regulation time approached, many in the stands — and on the field — were close to giving up as the visitors defended their 1-0 lead.
It seemed that there would be no magical night at the Bernabeu for the 13-time European champions this time.
However, Madrid took their Champions League comebacks to another level, rallying late with two goals in two minutes by substitute Rodrygo to force extra-time and defeat Manchester City 3-1 to reach the final — a showdown with Liverpool.
Karim Benzema, the hero of Madrid’s previous comebacks this season, scored from a penalty in extra-time for the decisive goal that allowed Madrid to advance 6-5 on aggregate after a 4-3 first leg semi-final loss in which they escaped losing by a bigger margin.
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Sonamarg : The Meadow of Gold
Sonamarg is a picturesque hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, located 80km north-east of Srinagar. At an elevation of around 2800 km from sea level, Sonamarg is known for its snow-laden fields, surrounded by majestic glaciers and serene lakes which casts subtle spells on the travellers.
Sonamarg is enveloped by the great Himalayan glaciers – Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier – and gives rise to the famous Three Sisters of Kashmir Valley. Towering over this charming hill town are the peaks like Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, Machoi Peak and Sirbal Peak which makes Songamarg a popular place for adventure sports tourism.
Sonamarg acts as the base camp for the trekking routes which leads to the mountain lakes such as Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar. The Sonamarg Valley is divided into two halves by the Thajiwas range – on one side is the fir-covered Thajiwas spur popular for its camping site. The other side houses some stunning waterfalls and the Thajiwas glacier which is the prime attraction of this place. Sonamarg remains inaccessible during winters as the NH1D connecting it to the nearby places closed down due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Thajiwas Glacier, Sonamarg Overview
Thajiwas Glacier which lies at a distance of 3 km from Sonamarg in Kashmir is an exquisite beauty situated 3000 m above sea level covered in snow all through the year. The glacier is one of the most significant assets of Jammu and Kashmir and a must-visit for all the nature and trekking lovers. One gets to experience the beauty of the glacier by trekking all the way there from Sonamarg. There is also the option of hiring a pony to get to the glacier. On the way to the glacier, the tourists get to witness the beauty of the silver shining frozen lake along with all the greenery around. The contrast of both of them is what makes it enchanting to the eyes. On the way, the tourists also come across Gujjar tribes who have their camps set up and earn their livelihood here.
In addition to all this, alpine meadows are scattered all over in the Thajiwas Glacier along with numerous waterfalls which make the region appear like heaven on earth. This makes the glacier one of the most famous and most visited tourist attractions of Sonamarg. The tourists get to ride the sledge during the summer season too. The glacier is a perfect spot for trekking as well as camping.
This glacier offers a perfect escape from the scorching heat of the summers along with a peaceful environment to restore all your senses. The beautiful scenes of horses grazing in the grasslands, fir and pine trees growing in the forests nearby, small streams covering the place and local Gujjar kids playing cricket in the vicinity is what makes the glacier a treat to the eyes. It remains covered in snow throughout the year, so winter visitors must not fret. Set up a camp, get some tea and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings.
Zoji-La Pass
Zoji La is a high mountain pass located in the Dras, near Ladakh, at an altitude of 3528 m above the sea level. Connecting Kashmir to Dras and Suru Valley, Zoji La is known as one of the world’s most dangerous mountain roads. Translating to “mountain pass of blizzards”, it remains closed during winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Given the altitude and the places it travels to, Zoji La pass is known for its extraordinarily beautiful views and landscapes. Certain parts of the pass, especially, can be a bit of a dangerous ride, hence one must travel down this one, only with a seasoned driver, used to such steep and playful turns and roads.
Vishansar Lake
A little outside Sonamarg, Vishansar Lake is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake. At an altitude of 3710 m, it is a sparkling blue lake surrounded by lush green meadow, alpine flowers and white and silver mountains at a tantalizing distance. Popular as the Lake of Vishnu, the Vishansar Lake is known for the many species of fish it houses, especially the brown tout.
The Vishansar Lake completely freezes during the winter while during the summer it is enveloped by lush green meadows. The scenic lake is a major attraction amongst trekkers in the Kashmir Valley.
White River Rafting
White water rafting is one of the popular things to do in Sonamarg. One can go for a long rafting expedition starting from Baltal and ending at Shutkari Bridge at Sonamarg. With variety of stretches available, one is sure to have a pleasure rafting trip, whether it be a novice, adventure seeker or experienced rafter.
Nilagrad River
Nilagrad River is a highly revered river, located 6km from Sonamarg. The reddish water of the river is believed to have medicinal properties which make it a popular tourist attraction. A lot of locals come here every Sunday to take a dip into its waters. The scenic beauty around the river is soothing.
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Janki or Sita Navami
Sita Navami is an important day of Hindu religion. This day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita. Married women observe a fast on the day of Sita Navami and pray for the long life of their husbands. Sita Navami is also known as Sita Jayanti and Janaki Navami. Sita Jayanti is celebrated on the ninth day of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh month. It is believed that Mother Sita was born on Tuesday in Pushya Nakshatra. Goddess Sita was married to Lord Rama. Lord Rama was also born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. In the Hindu calendar, Sita Jayanti comes one month after Ram Navami.
Goddess Sita was the adopted daughter of King Janak of Mithila. Hence this day is also known as Janaki Navami. According to Hindu mythology, when King Janaka was plowing the land to perform a yajna, he found a baby girl in a gold coffin. A plowed land was called ‘Sita’ so King Janak named the girl Sita.
On the day of Sita Navami, special worship and rituals are performed in Lord Rama and Janaki temples across the country. Temples are decorated with flowers and lights. Bhajan programs are also organized at various places after the recitation of Ramayana. Some take out Ram Rath Yatra through the temple and chant ‘Jai Siya Ram’ and sing devotional songs all the way.
Life of Goddess Sita
The king of Mithila –‘ Janaka’ was once plowing the land to conduct a Yajna and he found a baby girl in the Golden casket. This girl was none other than Goddess Sita who is also known as Janaki. She soon became famous as a very beautiful and lovely princess. Many strong warriors came to attempt to bend Shiva’s bow – the condition of Sita’s Swayambar. No one succeeded of course! Rama easily took the bow and did not only bend it but snapped it into many pieces! Rama wed Sita and she became the wife of the great Lord Shri Ram.
They faced many challenges after marriage. Due to in-home politics and the selfishness of other family members; Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana had to leave for many years of exile. They lived a life of nomads and also created history. Many obstacles came their way among which the abduction of Goddess Sita by Ravana was the worst. Lord Ram, Laxman, Hanuman, and their troop fought with the Asura King Ravana and brought back the Goddess.
After returning the people of Ayodhya raised questions about the purity of the Goddess as she had spent many nights in the kingdom of Lanka. This made Rama also answer the queries of his kingdom. Goddess Sita first stayed away from her husband and raised her kids Luv and Kush in an ashram and then sacrificed herself to mother earth by sinking into the deeps of the earth.
Mata Sita is said to be the incarnation of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu. Sita is known for her self-sacrifice, dedication, purity, and courage. She is also known as a mortal or mother of gods and all living beings. The worshippers are blessed with growth, intelligence, and prosperity. Goddess Sita symbolizes purity and fertility. The married women keep fast on this day for the long life of their husband.
Puja Vidhi & Rituals
– Arrangements are made for a puja mandap with four pillars.
– Idols of King Janak, Mata Sunayana God Ram and Mata Sita are placed.
– Ingredients like Til, rice, and barley are used.
– Vrat Katha and the life story of Goddess Sita are read during the puja.
– Women keep fast are to ensure the long, happy, and prosperous life of their husbands.
– People do pooja of Lord Rama and Mata Sita together to get a married life like them. Those who perform this vrat are said to get qualities like modesty, sacrifice, dedication, and motherhood.
– At places like Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh, Sita Samahit Sthal in Bihar, and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, this festival is given lots of importance.
– In temples, Darshan, Arati, and Maha-Abhishek are performed. Yatra is done by making idols of Maa Sita, Lord Rama Hanuman, and Lakshmana.
– Ramayana is read by sitting in groups in the nearby temple. Bhajan Kirtan and aartis are done on this occasion as well.
Facts about Goddess Sita
The Puranas say that Devi Sita was, in reality, the daughter of Ravana and Mandodari. According to predictions, the firstborn of Mandodari was said to be the cause of the destruction of his entire existence. Hence, Ravana had abandoned her and ordered the child to be buried away in a distant land, which was then discovered by King Janak and his wife to be raised as the princess of Mithila.
Another story goes that she was probably an incarnation of Vedvati, whom Ravan had tried to molest while she was under penance. Vedvati was a beautiful lady and wanted to become the consort of Lord Vishnu. She then cursed Ravana to become the cause of his destruction in her next birth.
Another very interesting fact mentioned in some versions of Ramayana is of Maya Sita (Devi Sita’s illusionary version). According to these, it was Maya Sita who was actually abducted by Ravana, whereas the real Sita took refuge with the fire god Agni. She was living in the abode of Goddess Parvati and then returned to Lord Ram after the war got over. Maya Sita is then said to have been reborn as Draupadi in her next life.
Sita had certain miraculous powers. While playing with her sisters she had unknowingly moved the table over which the “Shiva Dhanush” had been placed; which was something no one in the palace could do. This incident made King Janaka decide that the ‘Shiva Dhanush’ would be the challenge for her Swayambar.
There is also a narration about Sita’s brother Bhamandala. He did not know that Sita was his sister to marry her. He even wanted to abduct her. This story ends when Bhamandala, after learning that Sita is his sister, becomes a Jain ascetic.
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RBI hikes repo rate: Loan EMIs set to go up for borrowers
Mumbai (TIP)- All of a sudden-and entirely unexpected-the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 4 increased the repo rate by 40 basis points to 4.4 percent for the first time in almost two years since the start of the pandemic in 2020. One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. This comes when inflation has been rising to an 18-month high amidst a rebound in domestic economic activity.
“From a real estate point of view, this hike in policy rate is not welcome and will have a negative impact as home loan rates will increase immediately,” says Dr Samantak Das, Chief Economist, and Head Research and REIS, India, JLL.
Let’s go into the finer details of this announcement and its impact on the borrowers and depositors.
What are repo-linked loans?
From October 1, 2019, all banks had to mandatorily link their floating-rate retail loans to an external benchmark – RBI’s repo rate, three/six-month treasury bill yields or any other benchmark prescribed by Financial Benchmark India Private Ltd (FBIL). Most banks had chosen the repo rate as their benchmark. For such retail borrowers, the effective interest rate is the repo rate plus a spread specified by the bank, which includes operating cost and credit risk premium.
While the repo rate is at the RBI’s discretion, banks change the credit risk premium as and when the borrower’s credit profile changes during the loan’s tenure. Other components, including operating cost, can be altered once in three years, as per the central bank’s circular mandating an external benchmark.
Will the repo rate hike affect all categories of loans?
Yes, the implication of the repo rate hike would be felt across all categories of loans, both secured and unsecured.
“All the loans that come under the repo-linked lending rate (RLLR), especially the home loan and the loan against property will now cost higher and there can be a subsequent increase in other loans EMI as most of the banks have already started increasing the marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) since the beginning of this fiscal year, ” says V Swaminathan, Executive Chairman, Andromeda and Apnapaisa. “Generally, the car loans are given at fixed rates, which will not be affected by this increase. The car loans with floating rate will certainly see the impact next month or next quarter as per their respective terms,” says Ashish Pahariya, Partner, DSK Legal. According to experts, close to 40 percent of loans are linked to the external benchmark, and this increase will translate into a more expensive loan for new and existing borrowers alike in a very short time. “The existing borrowers will see their tenor go up,” says Adhil Shetty, CEO, BankBazaar.com. He explains that a home loan borrower with an outstanding principal of Rs 40 lakh and tenor of 20 years at 7 percent interest could see their tenor extend by 15-18 months when interest moves up to 7.4 percent. Source: Moneycontrol
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Elon Musk says Twitter may charge slight fee for commercial, govt users
Elon Musk has said Twitter Inc might charge a “slight” fee for commercial and government users, part of the billionaire entrepreneur’s push to grow revenue which has lagged behind larger rivals like Meta Platforms Inc’s Facebook. “Twitter will always be free for casual users, but maybe a slight cost for commercial/government users,” Musk said in a tweet. “Some revenue is better than none!” he added in another tweet.
Twitter declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. Last week, Reuters reported that Musk told banks he would develop new ways to monetize tweets and crack down on executive pay to slash costs at the social media platform company. Musk also told the banks he planned to develop features to grow business revenue, including new ways to make money out of tweets that contain important information or go viral, sources told Reuters.
At the annual Met Gala in New York on Monday, Musk said the reach of Twitter was currently only “niche,” and he would want a much bigger percentage of the country to be on it. Musk, also the chief executive officer of top electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc, has been suggesting a raft of changes to Twitter since last month.
Source: IANS
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LIC IPO fully subscribed
LIC’s public offer, the country’s biggest-ever IPO, was fully subscribed on the second day of bidding on Thursday, May 5. Against 16,20,78,067 shares on offer, 16,25,35,125 bids were received, making the public issue fully subscribed, as per data on stock exchanges as of 6.24 pm. Of the total, the policyholders’ portion was subscribed a little over three times, while that for employees was subscribed 2.14 times. Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) and Non-Institutional Investor (NII) portion has received a tepid response so far. Non-institutional investors’ segment was subscribed 46%, while QIBs’ portion was slightly lower at 40%.
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Bank of England ups interest rate to highest in 13 years
The Bank of England raised its key interest rate to the highest level in 13 years on Thursday as policymakers around the world combat inflation fuelled by high energy prices, Russia’s war in Ukraine and lingering concerns about Covid.
The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 6-3 to raise interest rates for a fourth consecutive meeting, lifting the rate that the Bank of England pays other banks by a quarter-percentage point, to 1%.
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Oil rises, defying stock market falls as supply concerns persist
Oil prices climbed for a third straight session on Friday, shrugging off concerns about global economic growth as worries about tightening supplies underpinned prices ahead of an impending European Union embargo on Russian oil. Brent futures rose 84 cents, or 0.8%, to $111.74 a barrel by 0306 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 80 cents, or 0.7%, to $109.06 a barrel. Brent and WTI are on track to rise for a second week in a row, buoyed by the EU’s proposal to phase out supplies of Russian crude oil in six months and refined products by the end of 2022. It would also ban all shipping and insurance services for transporting Russian oil. The plan still requires unanimous backing from the 27 countries in the bloc. “There are concerns over global growth and what it could mean for oil demand,” said Warren Patterson who heads ING’s commodities research.
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Over 80 firms, including China’s JD.com, added to US Securities and Exchange Commission list facing delisting risk
Washington (TIP)-The US Securities and Exchange Commission added over 80 firms to its list of entities facing possible expulsion from American exchanges, which include China’s JD.com, Pinduoduo Inc, Bilibili Inc , and NetEase Inc. The SEC on Wednesday, May 4, expanded the list, consisting of US-listed Chinese entities, on a provisional line-up under a 2020 law known as The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act.
The Act, signed into a law by then-President Donald Trump, aims to remove foreign-jurisdiction companies from US bourses if they fail to comply with American auditing standards for three years in a row. Other large Chinese companies that were added to the SEC’s list were JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd, NIO Inc, and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, among others. Sources had told Reuters last month Chinese regulators had asked some of the country’s US-listed firms, including Alibaba , Baidu, and JD.com, to prepare more audit disclosures. Source: Reuters
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Golden rules to reduce belly fat
Maintaining a flat belly means maintaining your overall health as well. A larger waistline can increase your risk of diabetes, heart diseases and even cancer. It is not easy to target just the belly fat when you are dieting. But losing weight overall can help you reduce the dangerous layers of fat on the belly, too.
Avoid sugar, sugar-sweetened drinks
Foods with added sugars aren’t good for you; consuming them can lead to weight gain. It has a negative impact on your metabolic health as well. Try reducing the amount of sugar in your diet and avoid sugary drinks completely. But this does not apply to whole fruits, which have fibre and are healthy.
Cut down on carbs
Eating fewer carbs is a fool-proof way of losing fat. Numerous studies show your appetite goes down when you cut down on carbs, which helps in weight loss. Losing carbs can also keep you healthy, reduce your risk of getting type II diabetes. Avoid carbs like sugar, candy, and white bread.
Eat fibre-rich food
An indigestible plant matter, eating lots of fibre can help with weight loss. The best way is to eat plant foods, including veggies and fruits. Whole oats and legumes are great sources of fibre.
Regular exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce weight and belly fat along with improving your health. Aerobic exercises like walking, running and swimming, can majorly reduce your belly fat.
Track your food intake
Despite having a high-protein and low-carb diet, it is easy to underestimate or overestimate your food intake if you do not keep track of it. Tracking can help you achieve specific goals like increasing your protein intake or cutting down carbs for an effective weight loss.
Source: The Indian Express
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Avoid plucking grey hair
We all know that the hair that has turned white will not become dark again, except by dyeing or colouring. This does not mean that we can continue to pluck out white hair. Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain says, “it is better not the pluck out white hair by the roots, as doing this repeatedly can injure and cause trauma to the follicle, which can finally stop growing hair. So, it is better to cut the white hair, instead of plucking it out.”
“If you pluck your white hair, another white hair will grow in its place. This is because melanin (the pigment cells which give the hair its colour) is no longer reaching the hair follicle. So, another white hair will grow in the follicle,” she adds.
Ways To Hide Your Grey Hair
As aforementioned, once your hair have turned grey, then it can’t be turned back to black. They will turn back only if you dye them. However, if you don’t want to dye your hair, then we have some other ways to help you hide those white strands.
Curls
Getting curls is a great idea if you want to hide your grey hair. This is because you can mould and them according to yourself. Along with this, the increased volume will make the few grey hair unnoticeable. All you need to curl your hair are hot rollers or curling iron.
Bun To The Rescue
If you have grey hair around the crown area, then you make a bun to easily hide your grey hair. However, you need to make sure that you pull back all your hair instead of them. This is because if you will part your hair, then there are chances that your white strands will be visible.
Hair Accessories
A number of hair accessories are available in the market to help you hide your grey hair including small flowers, bandana, hairband, beads, clips and many more.
Hair Chalk
This is one of the best ways to hide your white hair. If you don’t want your natural hair, then you can experiment and get coloured chalks. The best part is that these chalks are easily available in the market.
Causes Of Grey Hair
There can several causes of greying of hair and different people believe in different things. Maybe all of those things are true or maybe some of them are true or maybe none of them are true but nothing can be said with surety. Here are some of the causes of greying of hair as believed by different doctors. Source: HerZindagi
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Bread Biryani
Ingredients
Basmatic rice – 1 cup
Coconut milk – 1 1/2 cup
Green peas – 1/4 cup
Radish – 1/4 cup, grated
Carrot – 1/4 cup, grated
Coconut – 1/4 cup, grated
Onions – 2, chopped
Bread slices – 4, crusts removed, sliced in small pieces
Cashews – 5
Almonds – 5, soaked, peeled
Black pepper powder – 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp
Gasa gasa – 1 tsp
Cardamom – 1 Cloves – 1
Cinnamon – 1
Ginger garlic paste – 1 tblsp
Ghee – 3 tblsp
Curry leaves – few
Coriander leaves – few
Salt as per taste
Method
– Dry roast and grind the cardamom, cloves and cinnamon to a fine powder.
– Heat little ghee in a pan.
– Fry the basmati rice for 30 to 45 seconds.
– Remove and keep aside.
– Add a little ghee to the pan and fry the bread pieces till crisp.
– Keep aside.
– Grind the almonds, cashewnuts, coconut and gasa gasa to a smooth paste.
– Heat a little ghee in a pressure cooker.
– Add the cinnamon powder, ginger garlic paste, onions, salt and curry leaves.
– Saute well for a minute or two.
– Add the radish, carrot, green peas and ground coconut paste.
– Stir well and add the coconut milk.
– Bring to a boil.
– Add the rice and pressure cook till 2 whistles.
– Add the cumin powder, pepper powder, bread slices, coriander leaves and mix well.
– Serve.
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Netflix cancels Meghan Markle’s animated series ‘Pearl’
Streaming platform Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) said on Sunday it had decided to stop work on Meghan Markle’s family series “Pearl” as it reviewed animated content. Dropping several projects, including Markle’s, was part of strategic decisions on production of animated series, the company said in a statement, without providing further details on its decision. Archewell Productions, the company formed by Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, said last year that she would be an executive producer of “Pearl”. The series was to be centered on the adventures of a 12-year-old girl who is inspired by influential women from history. The couple is formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Netflix also decided not to move forward with the two animated children’s series “Dino Daycare” and “Boons and Curses.” The decision to cancel these shows comes after Netflix reported a loss of 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter, falling well short of its forecast of adding 2.5 million.
Last year, Netflix extended a deal for animation films with Comcast subsidiary Universal Pictures, a move that was expected to help Netflix hold on to child viewers.
Netflix said on Sunday it would continue to work on projects with Archewell, including the previously announced documentary series “Heart of Invictus”. This will focus on athletes competing in the Invictus Games for injured veterans in The Hague in 2022. Netflix did not respond to a query on whether it would cut more animated shows. Source: Reuters
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Amber Heard tells jury Johnny Depp assaulted her
Aquaman actor Amber Heard choked back tears on Wednesday as she testified that ex-husband Johnny Depp physically abused her, starting with slaps after she laughed at one of his tattoos and escalating to a “cavity search” of her body for cocaine. Heard took the witness stand for the first time in a widely followed U.S. defamation case brought by Depp, saying the actors had a “magical” relationship until it turned violent.
Depp’s first physical outburst, Heard said, came after she asked what was written on one of his faded tattoos. She said he replied “Wino,” and she laughed, thinking it was a joke.
“He slapped me across the face,” Heard said. “I didn’t know what was going on. I just stared at him.”
Heard said he slapped her twice more and said “you think it’s funny, bitch?”
Depp, 58, testified earlier in the trial that he never hit Heard and that she was the one who was the abuser.
The star of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films and others is suing Heard, 36, for $50 million, saying she defamed him when she claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse. Heard has counter-sued for $100 million, saying Depp smeared her by calling her a liar.
Heard, who alternated between crying and speaking calmly, said she stayed with Depp because she wanted to believe his apologies and promises to never hit her.
But, Heard said, Depp assaulted her “several times,” usually when he was drinking or using drugs. During a weekend away with friends in May 2013, Heard said, Depp became angry and accused her of inviting what he perceived as suggestive advances from another woman.
That evening, Heard said Depp tore her dress, ripped off her underwear and stuck his fingers “inside” her.
“He proceeds to do a cavity search,” she said. “He’s looking for his drugs, his cocaine.”
Earlier, psychologist Dawn Hughes testified that Heard had told her that Depp had put his fingers up her vagina to search for cocaine.
The case hinges on a December 2018 opinion piece she authored in the Washington Post. The article never mentioned Depp by name, but his lawyer told jurors it was clear Heard was referencing him. The couple’s divorce was finalized in 2017 after less than two years of marriage.
Depp, once among the biggest stars in Hollywood, said Heard’s allegations cost him “everything.” A new “Pirates” movie was put on hold, and Depp was replaced in the “Fantastic Beasts” film franchise, a “Harry Potter” spinoff.
In his earlier testimony, Depp said the fight over the “Wino” tattoo, which was originally the name of former girlfriend Winona Ryder, “didn’t happen.”
Source: Reuters
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‘Was that Will Smith?’: Chris Rock jokes after Dave Chappelle attacked on stage
“Dave Chappelle was just assaulted on stage at his Hollywood Bowl show. He was finishing up his performance when a man ran on-stage and lunged at him knocking him to the floor. Security & his entourage then cornered the man as Dave joked about how him getting “stomped” backstage,” US reporter Sharon Carpenter, who was in attendance, tweeted. After security subdued the man and brought him away, a video posted on Instagram showed Rock joining Chappelle on stage. “Was that Will Smith?” Rock said on the stage, which made the crowd erupt in a cheer.
Will Smith struck Chris Rock at the Oscars last month when the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved hairstyle. Smith’s actions were widely condemned as a result of the incident. A few days later, he resigned from the Academy. A video showed Chappelle being joined on stage by Jamie Foxx, whom he thanked for jumping on stage and assisting him after the incident. “Whenever you’re in trouble, Jamie Foxx will show up in a sheriff’s hat,” Chappelle joked. Following that, Chappelle made a joke about the attacker being a “trans man,” which drew backlash on social media.
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Nora Fatehi Roped In For Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’
Actress Nora Fatehi has reportedly been cast in an important role in Pawan Kalyan’s next, ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’. In the upcoming period drama directed by Krish, Nora will essay the role of Roshanara Begum, Shah Jahan’s third daughter and (Aurangazeb’s sister), according to reports. The role was supposed to be played by Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, but she has now been replaced by Nora.
Nora, who has previously appeared in special numbers for Telugu films such as ‘Kick 2’, ‘Baahubali’, ‘Temper,’ and others, will soon join the cast of ‘HHVM.’
“Because Nora is a good dancer and has impressive facial expressions, she is considered suitable for the role,” a source said.
Pawan Kalyan will play the titular character, a warrior, in the film, which is set in the Deccan Sultanate.
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Malaika Arora hints at wedding plans with Arjun Kapoor
Malaika Arora and Arjun Kapoor have never confirmed their plans of tying the knot. But now Malaika has said that the two are indeed thinking about the future of their relationship. She said that she knows Arjun is her man and the couple has been discussing “what next”. Malaika and Arjun have often been trolled for their age gap but the two continue to grow strong together. They have been in a relationship since a few years. Sharing more about their relationship and the stage they are in, Malaika told Bombay Times in an interview, “The most essential part is if we know we want a future together. If you are in a relationship where you are still figuring things out and saying, ‘Oh, I don’t know’… that’s not where I stand in my relationship. It’s sacred and important to me. I feel we are at a place where we’re thinking of the where-next and what-next parts. We discuss things a lot. We’re on the same plane, with similar thoughts and ideas. We really get each other.”
She added, “We’re at a mature stage where there’s still room for more discoveries, but we’d love to see a future together and see where we can take it from here. We laugh and joke about it, but we’re damn serious, too. You have to feel positive and secure in your relationship. I am very happy and positive. Arjun gives me that confidence and surety, and it’s both ways.” Source: HT