The Indian Panorama

Month: November 2022

  • Microsoft starts rolling out iCloud Photos integration on Windows 11

    Microsoft starts rolling out iCloud Photos integration on Windows 11

    Microsoft has started rolling out iCloud Photos integration into its Windows 11. The new update offers the ability to link an iCloud Photos library directly into the built-in Windows Photos app, reports The Verge.

    “We know that many Windows customers have photo and video collections on their iPhones that they would like to be able to view on their PC,” Dave Grochocki, principal product manager lead for Microsoft’s Windows inbox apps, said. “This iCloud Photos integration will make it easier for those with an iPhone to have direct access to all their cherished memories in one organised place and is another step in our continued efforts to make experiences on Windows 11 seamless,” Grochocki added. The update includes a new gallery view, which provides an alternative method of browsing through the photos.

    Windows 11 users will first need to update the Photos app from the Microsoft Store. They will then need to download the iCloud for Windows app from the Store, sign in, and select which photo libraries should automatically sync to the Photos app. Microsoft and Apple have collaborated on the iCloud Photos integration, and they have plans to soon bring Apple Music and Apple TV apps to Windows. Meanwhile, Microsoft added four new features in its collaboration app Teams — Assign seats in Together mode, Create Video clips, Pop out shared content into a separate window and Microsoft 365 connected templates.

                    Source: IANS

  • Mastodon: All you need to know about the social network hailed as a Twitter alternative

    Mastodon: All you need to know about the social network hailed as a Twitter alternative

    With Twitter in disarray since the world’s richest person took control of it last week, Mastodon, a decentralised, open alternative from privacy-obsessed Germany, has seen a flood of new users. “The bird is free,” tweeted Tesla mogul Elon Musk when he completed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter. But many free-speech advocates reacted with dismay to the prospect of the world’s “town square” being controlled by one person and started looking for other options. For the most part, Mastodon looks like Twitter, with hashtags, political back-and-forth and tech banter jostling for space with cat pictures. But while Twitter and Facebook are controlled by one authority – a company – Mastodon is installed on thousands of computer servers, largely run by volunteer administrators who join their systems together in a federation. People swap posts and links with others on their own server – or Mastodon “instance” – and also, almost as easily, with users on other servers across the growing network.

    The fruit of six years’ work by Eugen Rochko, a young German programmer, Mastodon was born of his desire to create a public sphere that was beyond the control of a single entity. That work is starting to pay off.

    “We’ve hit 1,028,362 monthly active users across the network today,” Rochko tooted – Mastodon’s version of tweeting – on Monday. “That’s pretty cool.”

    That is still tiny compared with his established rivals. Twitter reported 238 million daily active users who had seen an advert as of the second quarter of 2022. Facebook said it had 1.98 billion daily active users as of the third quarter. But the jump in Mastodon users in a matter of days has still been startling. “I’ve gotten more new followers on Mastodon in the last week than I have in the previous five years,” Ethan Zuckerman, a social media expert at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, wrote last week.

    Before Musk completed the Twitter acquisition on October 27, Mastodon’s growth averaged 60-80 new users an hour, according to the widely-cited Mastodon Users account. It showed 3,568 new registrations in one hour on Monday morning. Rochko started Mastodon in 2017, when rumours were spreading that PayPal founder and Musk ally Peter Thiel wanted to buy Twitter. “A right-wing billionaire was going to buy a de facto public utility that isn’t public,” Rochko told Reuters earlier this year. “It’s really important to have this global communications platform where you can learn what’s happening in the world and chat to your friends. Why is that controlled by one company?”

    Toots and instances

    There is no shortage of other social networks ready to welcome any Twitter exodus, from Bytedance’s Tiktok to Discord, a chat app now popular far beyond its original constituency of gamers. Mastodon’s advocates say its decentralised approach makes it fundamentally different: rather than go to Twitter’s centrally-provided service, every user can choose their own provider, or even run their own Mastodon instance, much as users can e-mail from Gmail or an employer-provided account or run their own e-mail server.

    No single company or person, can impose their will on the whole system or shut it all down. If an extremist voice emerged with their own server, the advocates say, it would be easy enough for other servers to cut ties with it, leaving it to talk to its own shrinking band of followers and users. The federated approach has downsides: it is harder to find people to follow in Mastodon’s anarchic sprawl then on the neatly ordered town square that centrally administered Twitter or Facebook can offer. But its growing group of supporters say those are outweighed by the advantages of its architecture.

                    Source: Reuters

  • Robotic arm catches cargo ship with food, supplies for astronauts

    Days after a solar panel glitch worried engineers on Earth, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo resupply spacecraft has arrived at the International Space Station. The spacecraft was captured by astronaut Nicole Mann using the robotic arm attached to the flying laboratory. The Canadarm-2 captured the Cygnus spacecraft carrying dozens of new scientific experiments and food for astronauts, who will now work on spacecraft installation to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port. Nasa said that the mission control in Houston will actively command the arm to rotate Cygnus to its installation orientation and then to guide it in for installation on the station’s Unity module Earth-facing port. The Cygnus spacecraft was launched on Monday on an Antares rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia. The 18th commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station by Northrop Grumman carried a supply of 3,700 kilograms of scientific investigations and cargo to the orbiting laboratory.

    “The spacecraft is named the S.S. Sally Ride in honor of the late astronaut, physicist, and first American woman to fly in space,” Nasa said in a blog update. The spacecraft had suffered a glitch when only one of the two solar panels on the Cygnus capsule opened successfully following the predawn liftoff. Officials had assured that there was enough power from the solar panel for Wednesday’s planned space station rendezvous.

                    Source: India Today

  • Lab-grown blood given to people in world-first clinical trial

    Lab-grown blood given to people in world-first clinical trial

    Scientists in the UK have infused blood cells grown in a laboratory into people in the first such clinical trial in the world. If proven safe and effective, manufactured blood cells could in time revolutionise treatments for people with blood disorders such as sickle cell and rare blood types, the researchers said.

    It can be difficult to find enough well-matched donated blood for some people with these disorders, they said.

    The team, including researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK, said the blood cells were grown from stem cells from donors. The red cells were then transfused into healthy volunteers.

    This is the first time in the world that red blood cells that have been grown in a laboratory have been given to another person as part of a trial into blood transfusion, they said.

    “We hope our lab grown red blood cells will last longer than those that come from blood donors,” said chief investigator Cedric Ghevaert, a professor at the University of Cambridge and NHS Blood and Transplant.

    “If our trial, the first such in the world, is successful, it will mean that patients who currently require regular long-term blood transfusions will need fewer transfusions in future, helping transform their care,” Ghevaert said in a statement.

    The trial is studying the lifespan of the lab grown cells compared with infusions of standard red blood cells from the same donor.

    The lab-grown blood cells are all fresh, so the trial team expect them to perform better than a similar transfusion of standard donated red cells, which contains cells of varying ages, the researchers said.

    If manufactured cells last longer in the body, patients who regularly need blood may not need transfusions as often, reducing iron overload from frequent blood transfusions, which can lead to serious complications, they said.

    “This challenging and exciting trial is a huge stepping stone for manufacturing blood from stem cells,” said Ashley Toye, a professor at the University of Bristol.

    “This is the first-time lab grown blood from an allogeneic donor has been transfused and we are excited to see how well the cells perform at the end of the clinical trial,” Toye said.

    For the foreseeable future, manufactured cells could only be used for a very small number of patients with very complex transfusions needs, the researchers said.             Source: PTI

  • Air pollution exposure linked to higher cardiovascular disorder risk: US study

    Air pollution exposure linked to higher cardiovascular disorder risk: US study

    Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with additional risk of cardiovascular disorders in those already having an underlying heart condition, according to a study. The research, published recently in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), evaluated the association between long-term exposure to small particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and 10 (PM10), and coronary vasomotor disorders in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD), which is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes.

    Coronary vasomotor disorders are characterised by impaired ability to adequately adjust coronary blood flow to oxygen demand due to dysfunctional vasomotor function. The researchers from Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy and colleagues studied patients with myocardial ischemia and NOCAD undergoing coronary angiography and intracoronary provocation test, an established method for assessment of coronary artery spasm.

    Both patients with chronic myocardial ischemia and nonobstructive coronary arteries and myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) were enrolled.

    Based on each case’s home address, exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 was assessed.

    The study included 287 patients with a median age of 62 years. 149 of the participants were male and 161 had myocardial ischemia and nonobstructive coronary arteries while 126 had MINOCA.

    Higher exposure to PM2.5 and PM10 in patients with myocardial ischemia and NOCAD is associated with coronary vasomotor abnormalities, the researchers said. In particular, PM2.5 is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of epicardial spasm and MINOCA as clinical presentation, they said.

    “Our study shows for the first time an association between long-term air pollution exposure and the occurrence of coronary vasomotor disorders, suggesting a possible role for pollutants in determining myocardial ischemia in patients with NOCAD,” the authors of the study noted.

    Source: PTI

  • Indian drug 2DG can reduce heart damage by coronavirus, find US researchers

    Indian drug 2DG can reduce heart damage by coronavirus, find US researchers

    A team of US researchers has identified how a specific protein in coronavirus damages heart tissue and they used a drug, currently in emergency use for the treatment of Covid in India, to reverse the toxic effects of that protein on the heart. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories last year announced the commercial launch of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) for treatment of Covid-19. 2DG was developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad.

    Now, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Center for Precision Disease have used 2DG to reverse the toxic effects of that protein on the heart.

    The researchers said that fortunately, 2DG is inexpensive and is used regularly in laboratory research and is being used in clinical trials in India. The drug has not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the disease. “Our research shows that individual SARS-CoV-2 proteins can each do major damage to specific tissues in the body – similar to what has been found for other viruses like HIV and Zika,” said senior author Zhe Han, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Precision Disease Modelling at UMSOM.

    “By identifying these processes of injury in each tissue, we can test drugs to see whether any can reverse this damage; those drugs that show promise can then be further tested in clinical research studies,” Han added.

    Their findings, based on research with fruit flies and mouse heart cells, were published in Communications Biology, a Nature journal. Last year, Dr Han and his research team identified the most toxic SARS-CoV-2 proteins in studies using fruit flies and human cells. They found a promising drug, selinexor, which reduced the toxicity of one of these proteins, but not the other one, known as Nsp6.

    The team blocked sugar metabolism in fruit flies and mouse heart cells using the drug 2-DG. They found that the drug reduced the heart and mitochondria damage caused by the Nsp6 viral protein. “We predict this drug that changes the metabolism in the heart back to what it was before infection would be bad for the virus, by both cutting off its energy supply and eliminating the pieces it needs to replicate,” said Han. Manufactured by Dr Reddy’s, the drug has a purity of 99.5 per cent and is being sold commercially under the brand name 2DG. It can be administered only upon prescription and under the supervision of a qualified physician to hospitalised moderate to severe Covid-19 patients as an adjunct therapy to the existing standard of care.The emergency use approval for anti Covid-19 therapeutic application of the drug was granted on May 1, 2021.

  • Handi Chicken

    Handi Chicken

    Ingredients

    750 gms Chicken on Bone, 3 big Tomatoes, 2 medium sliced Onions, 1 1/2 tblsp ginger garlic paste, 1/2 cup Curd, 1/2 cup Full Cream, 2 tbsp Coriander Powder, 1 tsp Turmeric Powder, 1 tsp Red Chilly Powder, 1 tsp Fenugreek Leaves (Kasthuri Methi), Salt To Taste, 3 -4 tblsp Ghee / Oil

    2 tsp Garam Masala

    For Garam Masala:

    3 tsp Cumin Seeds (Jeera ), 3 tsp Coriander Seeds (Sookha Dhania), 1 1/2 tsp Black peppercorns, 4 Cloves (Laung), 1 ” Cinnamon Stick piece, 3 Brown Cardmom, 2 tsp Fennel Seeds (Saunf), 1 Star Anise, 2 Dry Red Chillies

    Method

    –              Heat ghee or oil in a heavy bottom pan, add chicken pieces and fry till they are done. Take them out on a paper towel.   In the remaining ghee add the onions sliced abd saute them till light brown. Make sure not burn them.

    –              Add the ginger garlic paste and cook till all the raw smell disappears.Now add all the dry spices – Red Chilly Powder, Corainder Powder, Turmeric Powder. Add a tablespoon of water so that the spices do not burn. Once the masala is nicely cooked add the tomato puree and cook it till the oil separates.

    –              Now add beaten curd and cook till the curd gets fully incorporated in the gravy.

    –              When the oil starts to separate add the chicken pieces and mix well so that all the pieces are fully smeared with the masala. Let the chicken simmer for few minutes in this masala. Once the chicken is fully done add the cream and kasuri methi and garam masala.

    –              Cook for just 2 minutes on low flame and then take it out in a serving dish.

  • Matcha, kiwi will give your skin a glow

    Matcha, kiwi will give your skin a glow

    Want a glowing and flawless skin? Consume matcha, powdered green tea, which has a high amount of antioxidants and also have a lot of kiwis, which is a storehouse of Vitamin C, says an expert. Kajal Bhatia, Consultant Nutritionist, RAW Pressery, has shared 10 tips that can help you get a healthy glow on your skin.

    Blueberries: Extremely tasty and convenient to eat, blueberries are the favourite fruit of many gourmet-enthusiasts around the world. Despite their sweet taste, they are low on calories and contain antioxidants that protect against premature aging. Sipping on some natural blueberry juice or adding half a cup of the fruit to your yogurt or cereal is a great way to stay healthy and look stunning.

    Spinach: Spinach is loaded with lutein, vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. It lowers your risk of prostate cancer.

    Matcha: This is packed with high amount of antioxidants and also provides small amounts of vitamins and minerals. Polyphenols, which can be found in Matcha, have been tied to protection against heart disease and cancer, in addition to helping with better blood sugar regulation and blood pressure reduction. The powder boosts metabolism and slows down the process of aging, with some experts even claiming that it halts the growth of cancer cells.

    Walnuts: Eating just one ounce of walnuts a day can work wonders for your health and beauty- giving you shiny hair, bright eyes, smooth skin and strong bones. In addition, adding walnuts to your daily diet helps with weight control and improving brain function. You can eat a handful of shelled walnuts by themselves, or add some in your salad or pasta. Walnuts are all you need for a variety of nutrients including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, fibre and antioxidants.

    Kiwi: This fruit is loaded with antioxidants that keep skin firm and help prevent wrinkles. Kiwis are also a storehouse of Vitamin C, which is known to boost the immune system and fight stress. They contain a rare, fat-free form of Vitamin E that lowers cholesterol. Kiwi juices are extremely delicious, and you can add the cooling fruit to your fresh salads, Greek yogurt or fruit tarts.

    Turmeric: In addition to enhancing taste in almost all Indian dishes, it also has amazing advantages for beauty and health. Its anti-bacterial properties make it useful for both local application and ingestion. Applying it to the skin lightens pigmentation and eliminates dead skin cells. Turmeric is also great for keeping your hair healthy and controlling oily skin.

    Coconut water: Coconut water helps with weight loss. It also suppresses appetite and helps you feel full. In addition, ingesting coconut water leads to softer, more moisturised skin and reduces blemishes. Frightening acne breakouts can be controlled and indigestion can be prevented due to the reduction of acid reflux.

    Source: IANS

  • UK minister quits amid bullying row, PM Rishi Sunak under pressure

    UK minister quits amid bullying row, PM Rishi Sunak under pressure

    London (TIP):  British PM Rishi Sunak was under pressure from the Opposition on November 8 as he expressed regret on appointing one of his close allies and embattled ministers who was forced to resign pending an investigation into allegations of bullying against him. Sir Gavin Williamson is accused of abusive behaviour towards Conservative Party colleagues and civil servants and denies any wrongdoing. However, after days of controversy over what Sunak knew about the allegations before appointing him as a minister without portfolio to his Cabinet, Williamson stepped down on Tuesday night.

    The Opposition has branded the episode as a sign of “poor judgement and leadership” by Sunak and Labour Party Leader Sir Keir Starmer used the weekly PM’s Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons to pile on further pressure over the issue. “I obviously regret it… for the record, I did not know about any of the specific concerns,” Sunak said, when asked by Starmer if he regrets appointing Williamson. “The message that I clearly want to send is that integrity in public life matters,” he said, adding that it was right that the minister had resigned while he was being probed.

    In his resignation letter, Williamson said he refutes the “characterisation” of the claims about his “past conduct”, but felt they had become a “distraction from the good work the government is doing”. It referred to some expletive-laden text messages he reportedly sent to the former Tory party whip, Wendy Morton, over being overlooked during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

    These were published in The Sunday Times and since then others have come forward to allege “intimidating” behaviour while Williamson was a Cabinet minister under previous PMs. He has since been reported to the parliamentary bullying watchdog, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, and says he has apologised to the recipient of the texts. — PTI

  • Iran protests rage on streets as officials renew threats

    Iran protests rage on streets as officials renew threats

    Dubai (TIP): Protests in Iran raged on streets into November 10 with demonstrators remembering a bloody crackdown in the country’s southeast, even as the nation’s intelligence minister and army chief renewed threats against local dissent and the broader world. Meanwhile, a top official in Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed it had “achieved” having so-called hypersonic missiles, without providing any evidence. The protests in Iran, sparked by the September 16 death of a 22-year-old woman after her detention by the country’s morality police, have grown into one of the largest sustained challenges to the nation’s theocracy since the chaotic months after its 1979 Islamic Revolution. At least 328 people have been killed and 14,825 others arrested in the unrest, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that’s been monitoring the protests over their 54 days. Iran’s government for weeks has remained silent on casualty figures while state media counterfactually claims security forces have killed no one.

    As demonstrators now return to the streets to mark 40th-day remembrances for those slain earlier — commemorations common in Iran and the wider Middle East — the protests may turn into cyclical confrontations between an increasingly disillusioned public and security forces that turn to greater violence to suppress them. Online videos emerging from Iran, despite government efforts to suppress the internet, appeared to show demonstrations in Tehran, the capital, as well as cities elsewhere in the country.

    Near Isfahan, video showed clouds of tear gas. Shouts of “Death to the Dictator” could be heard — a common chant in the protests targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It wasn’t immediately clear if there were injuries or arrests in this round of protests, though Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency acknowledged the demonstrations near Isfahan. They commemorated the September 30 crackdown in Zahedan, a city in Iran’s restive Sistan and Baluchestan province, in which activists say security forces killed nearly 100 people in the deadliest violence to strike amid the demonstrations. Meanwhile on Thursday, Guard Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh said in a speech that his forces “achieved” acquiring hypersonic missiles. However, he offered no photograph, video or other evidence to support the claim and the Guard’s vast ballistic missile programme is not known to have any of the weapons in its arsenal. Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds in excess of Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound, could pose crucial challenges to missile defence systems because of their speed and maneuverability.

    China is believed to be pursuing the weapons, as is America. Russia claims to already be fielding the weapons and have said it used them on the battlefield in Ukraine. Iranian officials have kept up their threats against the demonstrators and the wider world. In an interview with Khamenei’s personal website, Iranian Intelligence Minister EsmailKhatib renewed threats against Saudi Arabia, a nation along with Britain, Israel and the US that officials have blamed for fomenting unrest that appears focused on local grievances.

    Khatib warned that Iran’s “strategic patience” could run out.

    “Throwing stones at powerful Iran by countries sitting in glass houses has no meaning other than crossing the borders of rationality into the darkness of stupidity,” Khatib said. “Undoubtedly, if the will of the Islamic Republic of Iran is given to reciprocate and punish these countries, the glass palaces will collapse and these countries will not see stability.”

    Iran blames Iran International, a London-based, Farsi-language satellite news channel once majority-owned by a Saudi national, for stirring up protesters. The broadcaster in recent days said the Metropolitan Police warned that two of its British-Iranian journalists faced threats from Iran that “represent an imminent, credible and significant risk to their lives and those of their families.”

    Last week, US officials said Saudi Arabia shared intelligence with America that suggests Iran could be preparing for an imminent attack on the kingdom. Iran later called the claim “baseless,” though the threats from Tehran continue.The commander of the ground forces of Iran’s regular army, Brig. Gen. KiumarsHeydari, separately issued his own threat against the protesters, whom he called “flies.” “If these flies are not dealt with today as the revolutionary society expects, it is the will of the supreme leader of the revolution,” he reportedly said. “But the day he issues an order to deal with them, they will definitely have no place in the country.” (AP)

  • Gutkas for Sikhs in UK military for first time

    Gutkas for Sikhs in UK military for first time

    London (TIP): NitnemGutkas, the prayer books of the Sikhs have been issued to military personnel in the British Army for the first time in a century, a media report said on November 9. A move the Ministry of Defence said will “directly support Sikh practice, a key component of their faith”. The prayer books were issued by the UK Defence Sikh Network at a ceremony in London, as per reports. “The Army has been providing Christian religious texts for many years and I saw the opportunity there to open the door for the Sikh faith to provide Sikh texts,” Major Daljinder Singh Virdee, who is in the British Army and has spent two years campaigning for the return of the religious books, was quoted as saying as per reports. The NitnemGutkas were printed in Wiltshire and placed on a throne in a purpose-built vehicle for Sikh scriptures, the report said. They were transported to the library of the Central Gurdwara temple in London, where they were officially issued to military personnel on October 28, it said.

    “For Sikhs our scriptures are not just words, they are the living embodiment of our guru. We draw moral strength and physical strength from reading the scriptures every day, it gives us discipline and it grows us spiritually,” Virdee was quoted as saying in the report.

    NitnemGutkas were first issued to military personnel more than a century ago, along with other articles of the Sikh faith, including steel daggers, bracelets and wooden combs, but have never been issued again since. There is an original military-issued NitnemGutka in the National Army Museum’s archives, in London, the report added.

    Sikh soldiers were recruited to the British military from the 1840s onwards, and have fought at the Battle of Saragarhi; in the First World War, as the “Black Lions”, as well as during the Second World War in Malaya, Burma and Italy. (PTI)

  • China reports 10,000 new virus cases, capital closes parks

    China reports 10,000 new virus cases, capital closes parks

    Beijing (TIP): China’s capital Beijing has closed city parks and imposed other restrictions as the country faces a new wave of covid cases.

    Elsewhere, more than five million people were under lockdown on Nov 10 in the southern manufacturing hub Guangzhou and the western megacity Chongqing. The country reported 10,729 new cases on Friday, almost all of them testing positive while showing no symptoms. With the bulk of Beijing’s 21 million people undergoing near daily testing, another 118 new cases were recorded in the sprawling city. Many city schools switched to online classes, hospitals restricted services and some shops and restaurants were shuttered, with their staff taken to quarantine. Videos on social media showed people in some areas protesting or fighting with police and health workers. Chinese leaders promised on Thursday to respond to public frustration over its severe “zero-covid” strategy that has confined millions to their homes and severely disrupted the economy.

    No details were offered other than a promise to release “stranded people” who have been in quarantine or blocked for weeks from leaving cities where there are cases. People from cities with a single case in the past week are barred from visiting Beijing, while travelers from abroad are required to be quarantined in a hotel for seven to 10 days — if they are able to navigate the timely and opaque process of acquiring a visa. Business groups say that discourages foreign executives from visiting, which has prompted companies to shift investment plans to other countries. Visits from US officials and lawmakers charged with maintaining the crucial trading relations amid tensions over tariffs, Taiwan and human rights have come to a virtual standstill.

    Speculation on when measures will be eased has centred on whether the government is willing to import or domestically produce more effective vaccines, with the elderly population left particularly vulnerable. That could come as soon as next spring, when a new slate of officials are due to be named under Xi’s continuing leadership.

    Or, restrictions could persist much longer if the government continues to reject the notion of living to learn with a relatively low level of cases that cause far fewer hospitalisations and deaths than when the pandemic was at its height.  (PTI)

  • Australia to block former military pilots flying for China

    Canberra (TIP): Australia’s defence minister said on November 9 he had told the nation’s military to review secrecy safeguards in response to concerns that Beijing was recruiting pilots to train the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Defence Minister Richard Marles ordered the review after asking the Defence Department last month to investigate reports that China had approached former Australian military personnel to become trainers.

    “In the information that has now been provided to me by Defence, there are enough concerns in my mind that I have asked Defence to engage in a detailed examination about the policies and procedures that apply to our former Defence personnel, and particularly those who come into possession of our nation’s secrets,” Marles told reporters. Marles declined to say whether any Australian had provided military training to the Chinese. He said a joint police-intelligence service task force was investigating “a number of cases” among former service personnel. “What we are focused on right now is making sure that we do examine the policies and the procedures that are currently in place in respect of our former Defence personnel to make sure they are adequate,” Marles said. “And if they are not, and if there are weaknesses in that system, then we are absolutely committed to fixing them.” Australia’s allies Britain and Canada share Australia’s concerns that China is attempting to poach military expertise. Britain’s Defence Ministry last month issued an intelligence alert warning former and current military pilots against Chinese headhunting programmes aimed at recruiting them. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said authorities will make it a legal offense for pilots to continue with such training activities. (AP)

  • Symbolic act: Ukraine inks peace accord with ASEAN

    Phnom Penh(TIP): Ukraine signed a peace accord Nov 10 with Southeast Asian nations, a largely symbolic act that comes as Kyiv seeks to shore up international support in isolating Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister DmytroKuleba signed the “Treaty on Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia” as the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations got underway in Phnom Penh.

    In an early November call with Ukrainian President VolodymyrZelenskyy, Cambodian President Hun Sen stressed the need for an end to the war “so that Ukraine can regain peace, stability, territorial integrity and development,” according to Hun Sen’s office.

    “Cambodia is against the aggression, the threat of or use of force over sovereignty and the territorial integrity of an independent state, and does not support the secession or the annexation of territory by other countries,” Hun Sen said on the call.

    The Cambodian leader also pledged to support Ukraine’s aspirations to become a “Sectoral Dialogue Partner” with ASEAN, a step toward the full “Dialogue Partnership” the group has with Russia, China, the United States and others.

    The “TAC” peace treaty established in 1976 commits parties to “mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations,” among other things. Ahead of the summit, Daniel Kritenbrink, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said the inclusion of Ukraine was important, especially since Russia’s invasion “has sent shockwaves throughout the Indo-Pacific, as we’ve seen through rising energy and food prices.”

    Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed questions about the significance of Ukraine’s presence at the meetings. “This theme in general has nothing to do with us,” she said. — AP

  • Now, Taliban ban Afghan women from using gyms

    Now, Taliban ban Afghan women from using gyms

    Kabul (TIP) : The Taliban are banning women from using gyms in Afghanistan, an official in Kabul said on November 10, the religious group’s latest edict cracking down on women’s rights and freedoms since they took power more than a year ago.

    The Taliban overran the country last year, seizing power in August 2021. They have banned girls from middle school and high school, despite initial promises to the contrary, restricted women from most fields of employment, and ordered them to wear head-to-toe clothing in public. A spokesman from the Ministry of Virtue and Vice said the ban was being introduced because people were ignoring gender segregation orders and that women were not wearing the required headscarf, or hijab. Women are also banned from parks.

    The ban on women using gyms and parks came into force this week, according to Mohammed AkefMohajer, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Ministry of Virtue and Vice. The group has “tried its best” over the past 15 months to avoid closing parks and gyms for women, ordering separate days of the week for male and female access or imposing gender segregation, he said.

    “But, unfortunately, the orders were not obeyed and the rules were violated, and we had to close parks and gyms for women,” said Mohajer. “In most cases, we have seen both men and women together in parks and, unfortunately, the hijab was not observed. So we had to come up with another decision and for now we ordered all parks and gyms to be closed for women.”  Taliban teams will begin monitoring establishments to check if women are still using them, he said. A female personal trainer told The Associated Press that women and men were not exercising or training together before at the Kabul gym where she works. “The Taliban are lying,” she insisted, speaking on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. “We were training separately.” On Thursday, she said two men claiming to be from the Ministry of Virtue and Vice entered her gym and made all the women leave.

    “The women wanted to protest about the gyms (closing) but the Taliban came and arrested them,” she added. “Now we don’t know if they’re alive or dead.” Taliban-appointed Kabul police chief spokesman Khalid Zadran said he had no immediate information about women protesting gym closures or arrests. The UN special representative in Afghanistan for women, Alison Davidian, condemned the ban. “This is yet another example of the Taliban’s continued and systematic erasure of women from public life,” she said. “We call on the Taliban to reinstate all rights and freedoms for women and girls.”

    Hard-liners appear to hold sway in the Taliban-led administration, which struggles to govern and remains internationally isolated. An economic downturn has driven millions more Afghans into poverty and hunger as the flow of foreign aid has slowed to a trickle. AP

  • 4.1-magnitude earthquake hits western Nepal

    Kathmandu (TIP): A 4.1-magnitude earthquake hit western Nepal on November 10, a day after a powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake jolted the Himalayan nation, which killed six people and sparked panic among citizens.

    According to the National Earthquake Monitoring & Research Centre, the earthquake occurred at 5.13 am on Thursday, with its epicentre in Kada area in KhaptadChhededaha rural municipality of Bajura district, situated 750 km from Kathmandu.

    The Center said that the latest quake is not the aftershock of the Gorkha Earthquake of 2015 but a fresh earthquake.

    No loss of live was reported so far. November 9 earthquake occurred at 2:12 am with its epicentre at Khaptad National Park in the Doti district of the quake-prone Himalayan nation, damaging scores of houses and sparking panic among the people who were sleeping.

    Six persons were killed and eight others injured in the earthquake, Home Ministry spokesperson PhanindraPokharel told PTI over phone. He said that the government has instructed the local administration to immediately distribute relief materials and compensation to the victims. The kin of those killed will be provided Rs 200,000 per head as compensation, he said.

    The six injured have been admitted to district Hospital in Doti while two others who sustained serious injuries have been airlifted to Seti Zonal Hospital in Dhangadhi, according to Home Ministry officials. (PTI)

  • Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf resumes stalled long march

    Lahore (TIP): Tens of thousands of supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on November 10 gathered at the site in Wazirabad in Punjab province where an assassination attempt was made on the former prime minister last week as the party resumed its stalled long march to Islamabad in presence of its top leaders. The ‘HaqeeqiAzadi’ (real freedom) march, demanding fresh General Election, was suspended following the attack on 70-year-old Khan on November 3.

    Khan suffered bullet injuries in the right leg when two gunmen fired a volley of bullets at him and others standing on a container-mounted truck in the Wazirabad area, where he was leading the march. He underwent surgery for bullet injuries at the ShaukatKhanum Hospital owned by his charitable organisation. He is advised to take rest for four to six weeks by doctors.

    Addressing his supporters via a video, Khan alleged that the “plan” to assassinate him was made in September. “This incident (…) no, this planned assassination attempt … I want to clear that this plan was made in September,” he claimed. “On September 24, I said in a public rally that this plan was formed and that they will blame a religious fanatic [for it].”

    Khan, who is recovering from injuries, said that the people who wanted him dead had planned to pin his murder on a “religious fanatic”. “They planned that if a religious fanatic kills me, the responsibility from them will go away,” he claimed. Khan has blamed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal Naseer of hatching a plot to assassinate him.

    Leading the march in the absence of Khan, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi earlier said that the party chairman would soon join his supporters in the long march to Islamabad.

    “Today I want to give a clear message that the convoy of PTI is on the move. If you want to create a Pakistan of a new ideology, then you have to accompany Imran Khan,” Qureshi, flanked by other party leaders including HammadAzhar, Faisal Javed, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry among others, told marchers in Wazirabad. Faisal Javed was among those injured in the attack on Khan.

    Qureshi said that despite an assassination attempt on Khan, his party didn’t bow or give up on its struggle for freedom. “Today, we had the option to either stand behind the bullet proof glass or in front of it… and we have chosen the latter…we have decided to look you in the eye. We have decided to tell you that PTI didn’t bow and will never do it …no matter what comes,” Qureshi told supporters. Senior party leader Asad Umar said that no one could scare Khan or his followers. “Exactly a week from today, an attempt was made to take Imran Khan’s life…but let me tell you today, it was not an attempt to take one man’s life, it was an attempt to silence the nation’s voice,” he said. The long march resumed with prayers for those killed and injured in the shooting.

    On Sunday, Khan had announced resumption of the long march on Tuesday but later the party changed the decision and rescheduled it for Thursday. He would join the long march in Rawalpindi when it reaches there in 10 to 14 days.

    During a meeting presided by Khan at his Lahore residence on Wednesday, it was decided that the “HaqeeqiAzadi” march would move towards Rawalpindi from the spot following a public gathering. The federal government has not yet granted permission to PTI to hold its rally in Islamabad. (PTI)

  • Best backwaters destinations In Kerala

    Best backwaters destinations In Kerala

    Kerala’s popularity as a tourist destination can be attributed to its wonderful tropical climate, Ayurveda, wildlife, forts, and, most of all, backwaters. The backwater destinations in Kerala present a spectacular sight, flanked by palm trees whose reflections form a perfect image on the clear waters. The best way of exploring the backwaters, however, is on a houseboat, also known as “kettuvallam”. Traditionally used for transporting rice, spices, and passengers, they take you to the otherwise inaccessible hinterlands of the state. At night, when the surroundings are bathed in blue, the perfect silence is interrupted by the rhythmic sound of the paddles. The sweetness of such moments stays on for a long time. If you have not visited the backwaters of Kerala, you have missed out on an incredible experience. This blog lets you know the best backwater destinations in Kerala that you should visit.

    Kumarakom Backwaters

    The small village of Kumarakom, a collection of tiny islands on the Vembanad Lake, is a part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary, spread across 14 acres of land, is visited by migratory birds, thus making it a perfect haven for bird lovers and ornithologists. Some birds observed on this lake are Egrets, Darters, Herons, Teals, Waterfowls, Cuckoo, Wild Duck, and migratory birds like Siberian Stork, among others. It’s also one of the most enchanting backwater destinations in Kerala. Visitors can enjoy fishing and boat tours here. These boat tours circle the islands and provide an amazing view of the coconut palms and the water birds.

    Alleppey Backwaters

    The Alleppey Backwaters are one of the most popular Kerala backwater destinations. A houseboat cruise on these backwaters is an enchanting experience. Today’s houseboats are a modified version of the “Kettuvallams” that existed in the olden times. Located around 62km southward of Kochi, the backwaters connect this place to those of Kochi and Kumarakom.

    Kozhikode Backwaters

    The Kozhikode Backwaters are also known as the Vasco Da Gama, the first European landed here in 1948. The virgin backwaters here leave visitors with memories to cherish for a lifetime. Catching a ride on the Kozhikode Houseboats is the best way of experiencing the beauty of the backwaters. The houseboats here are enormous in size yet move graciously enough. One can witness some spectacular scenery around the Kallai River and Canoli canals. Explore the best holiday packages in Kozhikode.

    Kasargod Backwaters

    Kerala is home to several backwater destinations, each offering a unique experience. When you explore the Kasargod Backwaters with Kerala backwaters houseboat tour packages, know that you are in for a thrilling experience. A backwater cruise here takes you to a lush landscape where 4 tiny islands, embraced by river streams, join these backwaters. The best part is they are still away from the prying eyes of the tourists and offer complete solitude and tranquility.

    Ashtamudi Backwaters, Kollam

    The backwater stretches of Ashtamudi are believed to be the second largest and deepest wetland ecosystem. When you enter these backwater stretches, you are greeted by coconut groves and palm trees scattered among the villages. The Ashtamudi Lake, which also serves as the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala, has inspired many writers and artists. One familiar sight here is that of the Chinese Fishing Nets, also called “cheena vala”, which seemed to be absorbed in a daylong meditation.

    Kochi Backwaters

    Kochi is home to various attractions, but the prominent amongst them are the backwaters. A ride on these beautiful backwaters brings you across the several attractions of this place, including the several islands scattered here and there as well as the dense greenery along the banks. On a backwater cruise here, the sights of Chinese fishing nets also greet your eyes. On the way, you can also watch the cargo ships and passenger ships pass by. It’s a memorable experience altogether.

    Trivandrum Backwaters

    When it comes to the best backwater destination in Kerala, it has to be Trivandrum. The network of canals, lagoons, lakes, and tropical vegetarian forests closely resemble a watery paradise. The biggest backwater here is Vembanad Lake, which is around 200sq. km in area. The most popular backwater cruise can be experienced along the route of Kovalam, which is a stretch of perfect serenity. The other backwater stretch, along the route to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides, besides being the meeting point of two rivers – Killi and Karamana.

    Kavvayi Backwater at Payyanur

    Kavvayi Kayal is another backwater stretch with its own unique attractions. Here, it’s all about finding peace with yourself. Also known as the backwaters of Kavvayi, it is the result of the coming together of five rivers, River Kavvayi and its tributary streams, Kankol, Vannathichal, Kuppithodu, and Kuniyan. While enjoying a houseboat cruise on these backwaters, you will come across an interesting sight in the form of half a dozen small and big islands.

     Kuttanad Backwaters

    A journey through the backwaters of Kuttanad fascinates you in more ways than one. The journey from Kottayam to Alappuzha via the Kuttanad backwaters commences from the Kodimatha boat jetty in the Kottayam district. The first stop along this cruise is Pallom, where the Munroe Light House is located. This region is also famous as the rice bowl of Kerala, and on a cruise, one witnessed, not just rice fields but also a rare place where farming is carried out at 10ft below sea level.

                    Source: Tourismofindia

  • Kaal Bhairav Jayanti

    Kaal Bhairav Jayanti

    Bhairav Ashtami, also known as Bhairavashtami, Bhairava Jayanti, Kaal-Bhairava Ashtami and Kaal-Bhairava Jayanti, is the holy day of Hinduism that is the day of taking Bhairava, a sinister and angry incarnation of Lord Shiva. This day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Bhairava. It falls on the fifteenth day (Ashtami) of the Hindu month of Kartik, in the fortnight of the decreasing moon (Krishna Paksha). Bhairav Ashtami falls on a single day in November, December or January. The name Kalashtami is sometimes used to refer to this day, but can also refer to any Ashtami in the Krishna Paksha, all these are the holy days of Bhairava, also known as Dandapani. Lord Bhairav’s vehicle is a dog, that is, Lord Bhairava rides a dog. Bhairava is the incarnation of Lord Shiva in the form of anger. It can be said that Bhairava is the manifestation of Lord Shiva’s wrath. According to the narrative narrated on this occasion, the trinity gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva were talking in a serious mood about who was the best among them. In this debate, Shiva got a little angry with the comment made by Brahma and instructed his gana Bhairava to cut off one of the five heads of Brahma. Bhairava obeyed Shiva’s command and one head of Brahma was cut off and thus he became the four head. Filled with fear, all the others prayed to Shiva and Bhairava.

    According to the legend, when Brahma insulted Shiva, Kaal Bhairava appeared from the forehead of the enraged Shiva and cut off Brahma’s head, leaving only four heads. Due to the sin of killing Brahma, Brahma’s head got stuck on the left palm of Bhairava – Brahmana or Brahmanism. To get rid of the sin of Brahmana, Bhairava had to fast for a Kapali. Wandering the world as a naked beggar with the skull of a beggar as his beggar. Bhairav’s sin comes to an end when he reaches the holy city of Varanasi, where a temple dedicated to him still exists.

    Lord Bhairav or Bhairon is an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Shiva. Lord Bhairav is widely worshipped by tantriks and yogis to gain various siddhis. Bhairon is regarded as the protector and the kotwal. In astrology Lord Bhairav is the Lord of star (graha) Rahu so to attain the maximum benefits of Rahu, people worships Lord Bhairav. Bhairav is a fierce form of Shiva. It is believed that Bhairon is connected to the Mahavidya goddess named Bhairavi who gives Lagna shuddhi (purification of the follower). This purifies and protects the body, character, personality and other qualities associated with the follower. Worship of Lord Bhairon is very useful to win over your enemies, success and all materialistic comforts. It is very easy to please lord Bhairav by doing normal worship daily. Coconut, Flowers, Sindoor, Mustard oil, black til etc are offered to the God to get God’s Blessings. Bhairava himself has eight manifestations, Kala Bhairava, Asitanga Bhairava, Samhara Bhairava, Guru Bhairava, Krodh Bhairava, Kapala Bhairava, Rudra Bhairava and Unmatta Bhairava.

    Origin of Lord Bhairav

    The origin of Bhairava or Bhairon can be drawn from the conversation between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu described in “Shiv Maha-Puran” where Lord Vishnu asks Lord Brahma who is the supreme creator of the Universe. Lord Brahma proclaimed himself to be that superior person.  On hearing this, Lord Vishnu chided Lord Brahma for his hasty and overconfident words.  After the debate they decided to seek the answer from the four Vedas.  Rig Veda designated Lord Rudra (Shiva) as supreme as He is the omnipotent deity who controls all living beings.  Yajur Veda replied that He, whom we worship through various Yajnas (Yagna) and other such rigorous rituals, is none other than Shiva, who is supreme.  Sam Veda stated that the respected figure who is worshipped by various Yogis and that Person who controls the entire world is none other than Triambakam (Shiva).  Finally, Atharva Veda said, all human beings can see the Lord through Bhakti Marg and such a deity who can remove all the worries of human beings is indeed Shankar (Shiva). But both Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu started laughing in disbelief.

    Then Lord Shiva appeared as a powerful divine light.  Lord Brahma stared at Him furiously with his fifth head.  Lord Shiva immediately created one living being and stated that he will be King of Kaal and will be known as Kaal (Death) Bhairav. Meanwhile, Lord Brahma’s fifth head was still burning with fury and Kaal Bhairav pulled that head from Brahma. Lord Shiva directed Bhairav to go around various holy places (teerths) to get rid of Brahma Hatya.  Kaal Bhairav, with Brahma’s head in his hand, started took bath in various holy places (Teerths), worshipped various Lords, nevertheless saw that Brahma Hatya Dosh was following him all along.  He could not get rid of that affliction. Finally, Kaal Bhairav reached the Moksha Puri, Kashi. The moment Kaal Bhairav entered Kashi, Brahma Hatya Dosha disappeared into the netherworld.  The head of Brahma, (Kapal) fell at a place which was called Kapal Mochan and there was a Teerth which was later called Kapal Mochan Teerth. Then onwards Kaal Bhairav stationed himself permanently in Kashi, giving shelter to all his devotees.  Those living in or visiting Kashi, must worship Kaal Bhairav and he grants protection to all his devotees.

    Ashtami day (eighth day after Purnima) in the month of Margashirsha is an important day for worshipping Kaal Bhairav.  Besides, Sundays, Tuesdays, Ashtami and Chaturdasi days are very important for worshipping Kaal Bhairav.  A person who circumambulates Lord Kaal Bhairav eight times will be absolved of all the sins committed by him.  A devotee who worships Kaal Bhairav for six months will attain all types of Siddhi. (Kashi Khand, Chapter 31).

    Another story of the origin of Bhairava is the tale of Shiva and Shakti. Shakti, the daughter of the king of gods, Daksha chosen Shiva for marriage. Her father disapproved the marriage because he alleged that Shiva resides in jungles with animals and ghosts and hence has no equality with him. But Shakti decides otherwise and marry Shiva. After some time King Daksha held a Yagna and invited all the gods, but not Shiva. Shakti came to the yagna alone, where Daksha publicly spoke in a belittling manner about Shiva. Shakti could not bear to hear her husband insult and jumped in the holy fire of Yagna and sacrificed her.

    On hearing this Lord destroyed the yagna and killed Daksha by beheading him. Then Shiva carried Shakti’s corpse on his shoulders and ran uncontrollably all around the world for days. Since this would eventually destroy all creation, Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra to cut Shakti’s body into pieces, which then fell all around. These spots where Shakti’s body parts fell are now known as Shakti Peethas. In the form of the frightful Bhairava, Shiva is said to be guarding each of these Shakti Peeths. Each Shaktipeeth temple is accompanied by a temple dedicated to Bhairava (Bhairon).

    There are eight types of Bhairava and they are called ashta Bhairava. They are Asithanga Bhairavar, Ruru Bhairavar, Chanda Bhairavar, Krodh Bhairava, Unmatta Bhairavar, Kapala Bhairavar, Bhishana Bhairavar and Samhara Bhairavar. Apart from these eight forms there is yet another form called Swarna akarshana Bhairavar. Maha Bhairavar is said to be Shiva himself.

    He is also the “Aapaduddhaarana murti” – the one who uplifts us in times of crisis. He averts all kinds of dangers. The one who worships Swarna akarshana Bhairava gets everything. He gets all the wealth and richness in his life and also is constantly protected from all the perils in his life. Above all, because Swarna akarshana Bhairava is the one of the Bhairava – the terrifying ones – he liberates us from all the patterns and karmas causing the cycle of birth and death.

  • Salman says Prem will return and marry too

    Salman says Prem will return and marry too

    Actor Anupam Kher organized a special screen of his new film ‘Uunchai’ in Mumbai on Wednesday that was attended by film’s director Sooraj, Salman Khan among others. Salman has starred in several Sooraj Bharjatya films over the years and there were talks about their reunion too. At the ‘Uunchai’ premiere, when Salman Khan walked the red carpet with the filmmaker, the media stationed there asked Sooraj if he has ideas on creating a new version of Salman’s iconic Prem series of characters in his next film? Responding to them, Sooraj said, “Prem will return,” and added, “title registered.” Salman then jokingly said, “Prem will return and he will make sure that he gets married too. Inhone picture ka title bhi announce bhi kar diya, Prem Ki Shaadi.”

  • Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon Open Up About Their Special Bond In ‘Bhediya’

    Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon Open Up About Their Special Bond In ‘Bhediya’

    The makers of ‘Bhediya’ have just released an exclusive behind the scenes video featuring leads Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon disclosing some interesting tid-bits about each other. Kriti remarks how Varun has become a better listener. The two stars also reveal their favourite song from ‘Bhediya’, which turns out to be the recently released ‘Apna Bana Le’. Talking about their unique rapport, Varun says, “Kriti and I are working together after six years. While not much has changed in that time, we now communicate even more effortlessly with each other, and this shows in our chemistry.” “Funnily enough, this is one of the reasons our director was worried that we might exude too much chemistry in the film.” Kriti adds: “Varun and I have genuinely been very good friends since Dilwale. We are extremely comfortable with each other, and that comfort translates beautifully on screen. We play off each other amazingly.”

    “We worked together after 6 years, and in these 6 years we’ve grown as people, and as actors, and our bond has only strengthened! I had a blast working with him!” AJio Studios & Dinesh Vijan present, ‘Bhediya’. A Maddock Films production, directed by Amar Kaushik, produced by Dinesh Vijan and starring Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Deepak Dobriyal and Abhishek Banerjee among others, is releasing in cinemas pan-India in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil in 2D and 3D on November 25.

  • Jennifer Lopez reveals how Ben Affleck took the first step towards their rekindled love story

    Jennifer Lopez reveals how Ben Affleck took the first step towards their rekindled love story

    Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have finally tied the knot after reklindling their relationship from the early ‘2000s. They married earlier in 2022 in a secret Las Vegas ceremony with only their children as witnesses. Until now, we had no idea who approached who as they started dating one more time after many years apart. They both got married and had children to other celebrities but they found their way back to each other. Jennifer Lopez finally opened up about therekindled love between the two.

    As it turns out, Ben Affleck was the one who made contact again through an email. He revealed to J-Lo that he had raved about oher during an interview right after ending his relationship with Ana de Armas. After getting that first email from Ben, the couple never stopped communicating as they eventually began hanging out. One thing led to the other and their romance was reignited again.

    Jennifer Lopez is the cover of hte next Vogue issue, she offered an interview about her newlywed life with Ben Affleck. This is what she told the publication: “Obviously we weren’t trying to go out in public. But I never shied away from the fact that for me, I always felt like there was a real love there, a true love there. People in my life know that he was a very, very special person in my life. When we reconnected, those feelings for me were still very real. I don’t know that I recommend this for everybody. Sometimes you outgrow each other, or you just grow differently.

    “Not to discredit anything in between that happened, because all those things were real too. All we’ve ever wanted was to kind of come to a place of peace in our lives where we really felt that type of love that you feel when you’re very young and wonder if you can have that again. Does it exist? Is it real? All those questions that I think everyone has. You go through all these relationships, and you’re searching and you’re connecting and you’re disconnecting with people, and you’re like, ‘God, is this just what life is? Like a carousel, roller coaster, carnival ride?’ And then it settles. But the journey to that is the mystery for everybody.”

  • Daniel Craig is back for new Knives Out mystery

    Daniel Craig is back for new Knives Out mystery

    The official trailer for Glass Onion : A Knives Out Mystery was released on Monday. This marks the return of detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig for the sequel of Knives Out (2019). Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Glass Onion places the detective in an unusual locale this time, in an island in Greece where a murder is yet to happen. In the trailer we see a host of people arrive at an island, one amongst whom is detective Benoit Blanc. “When’s the murder mystery start?” he asks. At the table, the host Mr. Bron (Edward Norton) announces that he has invited everyone here because he is sure that a murder will be committed that night. “My murder.” he says. He also warns that he has hidden clues across the island for which each one of them have to be on constant lookout. In the next shot, there is a power cut, and a gunshot across a glass pane is seen. As Benoit Blanc looks at everyone around him, he says, “Ladies and gentleman, there’s been a murder, and the killer is in plain sight.”

  • Jennifer Aniston reveals sadness at failed in vitro fertilisation attempt

    Jennifer Aniston has opened up to the media to talk for the first time about a personal issue, infertility. The actress revealed that behind the pregnancy rumors that haunted her for years, she was fighting a personal battle. While the media debated whether or not she wanted to have children, Aniston was suffering what no one could have imagined. Or perhaps, they could had they stopped to consider it. “All the years and years and years of speculation… It was really hard,” Aniston told Allure.

    “I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese teas, you name it. I was throwing everything at it.

    “I would’ve given anything if someone had said to me, ‘Freeze your eggs. Do yourself a favor.’ You just don’t think it. So here I am today. The ship has sailed.” Today, the actress best known for her role as ‘Rachel’ on Friends, has been married twice and never had children.

    One of her most difficult periods was when she separated from Brad Pitt, her first engagement. In 2005, after five years of life as a couple, both decided to put an end to their relationship, which the media at the time speculated was because Aniston would have preferred to focus on her professional career, instead of being a mother. She has revealed this was all false.

    “That narrative that I was just selfish, that I just cared about my career. And God forbid a woman is successful and doesn’t have a child,” said Aniston. “And the reason my husband left me, why we broke up and ended our marriage, was because I wouldn’t give him a kid.

    “It was absolute lies. I don’t have anything to hide at this point.” Aniston gave no timeline for her IVF journey, Allure noted that it was simply “several years ago.” But now, at 53, she said she has “no regrets” about how things worked out.

  • ‘I said yes’: Did Malaika Arora just confirm that she’s engaged to Arjun Kapoor?

    Malaika Arora appeared to suggest that she is engaged to be married. On Thursday, November 10,  she took to Instagram to share a picture of herself, and wrote in the caption of her post, “I said YES…” She didn’t tag her boyfriend, actor Arjun Kapoor, and nor did he post something similar on his page. Several people took to the comments section to wish Malaika and Arjun all the best. “Woah woah woah!!” wrote actor Karan Tacker, while stylist Tanya Ghavri commented, “Oh my god !.”

    Malaika and Arjun have been dating for several years, but they publicly confirmed their relationship only in 2019, on Arjun’s birthday. The two have been fielding questions about marriage for a long time now, and Arjun has always maintained in interviews that they will be the first to make the announcement once a concrete decision has been made. In a recent appearance on Koffee with Karan, Arjun said that marriage is not on the cards for them. “I want to focus on my career. I want to see where I am going. I am a realistic person. I’m not hiding anything and neither am I coy. I want to be more stable, not just financially. If I am happy, only then I can make my partner happy, and a lot of happiness comes from my work,” he said.

    Arjun has said in interviews that they took ‘baby steps’ in making their relationship public, because they knew what it would entail.

    On Koffee with Karan, Arjun said, “I will always think about everyone first. It is my choice to be with her, but I cannot expect everyone to understand. It has to be allowed to grow. I cannot expect everyone to understand easily… It’s not that we didn’t talk about it as a couple. But there are baby steps. There is a basic understanding that she has had a life, she has a son, and I’m coming from a past that is aware of that. The moral compass of the country you cannot dictate.”    Source: The Indian Express