The Indian Panorama

Month: September 2024

  • The Galaxy of Distinguished Speakers made the JLF New York 2024 a Memorable Event

    The Galaxy of Distinguished Speakers made the JLF New York 2024 a Memorable Event

    Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan felicitated Shashi Tharoor and Aroon Purie. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): JLF New York, produced by Teamwork Arts on September 10th and 11th, 2024, at one of the world’s most culturally alive cities, created a sort of history with the diversity of distinguished speakers and a variety of interesting subjects. The festival, which embodies the infectious energy of its mother ship, the iconic annual Jaipur Literature Festival, brought back its signature camaraderie, leading books and writers, and ideas and conversations that make it truly special. Held at prestigious venues including the Asia Society, The National Arts Club, The Center for Fiction, and Sundaram Tagore Gallery, JLF New York provided a rich tapestry of debates and dialogue, featuring an exceptional roster of speakers.

    Shashi Tharoor, Member of the Indian Parliament and renowned author during a conversation with Aroon Purie, Chief Editor of India Today at the inaugural session of Jaipur Literature Festival (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

    The speakers included Shashi Tharoor in conversation with Aroon Purie. The Indian writer, politician and Member of Parliament has authored over 22 books of fiction and non-fiction. Adept at thinking spontaneously and conversing on any subject, his wit and humor are capable of making the most unhappy and morose person come alive. Audience did get a fair share of “Tharoorism”.

    Sanjoy K. Roy, MD, Teamwork during a conversation with diplomat author, Navdeep Suri (Centre) and singer Vidya Shah at JLF New York event. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

    Navdeep Suri, a distinguished diplomat and translator, recited in English “Khooni Vaisakhi”, his grandfather Nanak Singh’s searing ballad on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre while Vidya Shah sang parts of it in Punjabi.
    Renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, celebrated for cinematic works like Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Bandit Queen, also graced the festival.

    Sree Sreenivasan, Co-founder of Digimentor and President of SAJA in conversation with Novelist, Tania James at the JLF event in New York (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

    The line-up continued with Ruby Lal, Devika Rege, Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee dedicated to health and education advocacy in the Middle East, Tarun Tahiliani, famous fashion designer known for his fusion of Indian textiles, and Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts. The festival also featured Sree Sreenivasan, a digital innovation leader and president of the South Asian Journalists’ Association, and Mohit Satyanand, entrepreneur and investor.
    The Consul General of India in New York Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan inaugurated the festival at Asia Society on September 10, and felicitated Shashi Tharoor and Aroon Purie. In his remarks he appreciated the contribution of Jaipur Literature Festival in promoting art and literature.

    Celebrated fashion consultant and philanthropist Fern Mallis, during a conversation with fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani from Mumbai on his new book, Journey to India Modern, written with investigative journalist Alia Allana, at Asia Society in New York. (Photo: Jay Mandal/On Assignment)

  • September 13 New York & Dallas E – Edition

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  • Protect NYC Tourism Coalition Rallies Against City Council’s Catastrophic Hotel Bill

    Protect NYC Tourism Coalition Rallies Against City Council’s Catastrophic Hotel Bill

    Int. 991 will damage hotel and tourism industry, force thousands to lose their jobs and harm New York’s economy

    NEW YORK (TIP): Over one thousand hotel owners, workers and small business owners, as part of the newly formed Protect NYC Tourism Coalition, on September 12, rallied on the steps of City Hall to fight against the City Council’s so-called “Safe Hotels” bill. The Coalition has also sent a letter asking the City Council to reject the bill, Int. 991, as it threatens the sustainability of New York City’s hotel and tourism businesses and puts the livelihoods of thousands of dedicated workers at risk.

    The Coalition includes members of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), the Coalition for Hotel Subcontractors, the NYC Minority Hotel Association, the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) and numerous other groups and stakeholders that support New York City’s tourism industry.

    “This legislation will cause irrevocable damage and hurt thousands of guests, hotel owners, workers, and small business owners who support New York City’s hotel and tourism industry,” said American Hotel & Lodging Association Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “The economic toll of this bill will reverberate for years, forcing hotels to lay off hard-working staff, raise rates, and even permanently close. This is not a licensing or safety bill. It’s a government takeover of New York City hotels, and we will not stop fighting until it’s defeated.”

    “The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers stands with New York City’s hotel owners, workers, and small businesses in opposing Int. 991,” said Andy Ingraham, President, CEO and Founder of National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers. “This bill would disproportionately impact minority-owned hotels and developers, who have worked tirelessly to contribute to the city’s tourism industry and create jobs within their communities. The operational costs and regulatory burdens of this legislation threaten to undo decades of progress in creating inclusive opportunities for Black and minority hotel owners. We urge the City Council to reconsider this bill and work with us to find solutions that support economic growth and job creation – not stifle them.”

    “Int. 991 is a solution in search of a problem. It imposes staffing mandates that most hotels cannot afford, forcing closures, and disrupting hotel lending and transactions,” said Vijay Dandapani, President & CEO of the Hotel Association of NYC. “This bill harms the financial health of hotels and threatens the sustainability of New York’s tourism industry. The City Council should be working with us, not against us, to support job creation and economic recovery.”

    “The Safe Hotels Act will have devastating effects on our hotels and the hospitality industry,” said Rahul Patel, Treasurer of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. “This bill would require our small hotels to stop partnering with other small businesses and force them to let go of their employees. Our hotels offer personal service, often with a small team of staff. If we could hire more employees, we would, but it is a shame that this bill is trying to force us to work outside our current functioning business model. It is patently unfair for the City Council to impose a one-size-fits-all business model on all hotels. This bill will destroy our livelihoods.”

    “This legislation is a dagger to the heart of our City’s hotel, tourism, and entertainment industries,” said Jim Whelan, Real Estate Board of New York President. “It will hurt the City’s economic recovery, cut jobs and slash tax revenue. If enacted, it is yet another deterrent to investing in New York.”

    “The hospitality industry could not function without family-owned businesses, first- and second-generation immigrant entrepreneurs, and small business owners who provide housekeeping and maintenance services, as well as other needs specific to the hospitality industry, and today we made it clear we are a strong, unified coalition coming together to fight for our livelihoods,” said Camilo Torres, Chief Operating Officer of Lumina HR, a hospitality staffing solutions company located in Manhattan. “We hope this rally sends a message to the City Council that they should reconsider this legislation and bring us to the table to discuss the issues we face and how we can work together to solve them.”

    First introduced by Councilwoman Julie Menin over the summer, Int. 991 has been positioned as a “simple licensing bill” by its supporters, but in reality, it would impose harsh and costly operational mandates that would force many hotels out of business and eliminate jobs. It jeopardizes New York City’s 42,000 hotel jobs, the nearly 260,000 jobs New York City hotels support, and billions of dollars in revenue for New York City. Last year, New York City’s tourism industry generated $74 billion in economic impact with more than $48 billion coming from direct spending.

    The Coalition also made clear the important safety protocols already in place at member hotels, and the industry’s long-standing commitment to end human trafficking. Int. 991 is not a hotel safety and human trafficking prevention bill. New York hotels are already required to train all employees on human trafficking awareness and training – because of a law the hotel industry worked to pass in 2022

  • PM meets India’s Paralympic medallists, congratulates them on record haul

    PM meets India’s Paralympic medallists, congratulates them on record haul

    New Delh i(TIP)- Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s trailblazing Paralympians at his residence on Thursday, September 12, to congratulate them for their record-smashing haul of 29 medals at the recently-concluded Paris Games.
    In a 43-second video shared by the Sports Ministry, the PM can be seen congratulating the medal winners before an interaction with them.
    Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) head Devendra Jhajharia were also present during this interaction.
    Wheelchair-bound shooter Avani Lekhara, who won a second successive Paralympic gold in women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) and visually-impaired judoka Kapil Parmar, India’s first Paralympic medal-winner in the sport, were among those who were seen posing with the PM. Parmar could be seen getting his medal signed by Modi.
    India gave its best-ever performance in the Paralympic Games by winning 29 medals, including an unprecedented seven gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals. The 84-strong contingent surpassed the previous best of 19 medals that was achieved in the Tokyo Games three years ago. The stupendous performance included many firsts such as medals in track events of athletics, and a gold in archery (through Harvinder Singh). Source: PTI

  • Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: India beat Korea 3-1 to continue unbeaten run

    Hockey Asian Champions Trophy: India beat Korea 3-1 to continue unbeaten run

    Hulunbuir (TIP)- Defending champions India remained unbeaten in the Asian Champions Trophy as it registered its fourth consecutive victory with a 3-1 win against Korea here at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China on Thursday, September 12.
    Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (9’, 43’) scored a brace in India’s win while Araijeet Singh Hundal (8’) gave an early lead in the team’s win.
    Having already booked a place in the semifinals, India looked to continue its winning ways against Korea in the penultimate league-stage match. The defending champions showcased this intent very early in the match with the eighth minute goal by Araijeet Singh Hundal. It was a fierce cross pass by Vivek Sagar Prasad that was picked up by Hundal from the top of the circle to scoop it in. In the following minute, Harmanpreet scored from a penalty corner to extend India’s lead to 2-0. This was Harmanpreet’s 200th international goal.
    South Korea, who registered a fantastic 3-2 win against hosts China to climb up to second spot in the points table, was not going to let India have it easy. After shaking off the nerves in the first quarter, Korea bounced back with tactical defence curbing Indian attackers from keeping the ball possession.
    In the last seven minutes of the second quarter, Korea punished India with interjections and counter attacks, eventually setting up a PC in the 30th minute of the match. Jihun Yang, who had scored a goal in its win against China on September 11, came up with a fine PC execution to narrow India’s lead to 2-1.
    The third quarter saw both India and Korea trade equal number of PCs with each earning four. However, only India could successfully put one in the net with Harmanpreet coming up with a powerful dragflick to fetch his team a strong 3-1 lead. India played this quarter patiently, and constructed a compact attack to stay ahead of a tactful Korea. Meanwhile, Krishan Pathak held sway at the goalpost to keep Korea from scoring. The final quarter saw India do well as they dominated with ball possession, and resorted to half-press that led to potential counter attacks. Though Korea made ambitious attempts to score, Suraj Karkera did well in the goalpost to ensure India don’t concede a goal. India will take on arch nemesis Pakistan in their next encounter.
    On September 11, young striker Raj Kumar Pal struck a hat-trick as title-holder India sealed a semifinal spot after thrashing Malaysia 8-1 for its third consecutive win in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy. Apart from Raj Kumar (3rd, 25th and 33rd minute), Araijeet Singh Hundal (6th and 39th minute), Jugraj Singh (7th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (22nd minute), and Uttam Singh (40th minute) sounded the board for India.

  • Ronaldo creates history, becomes first to breach one billion barrier on social media

    Ronaldo creates history, becomes first to breach one billion barrier on social media

    Since his career began, Cristiano Ronaldo has been known to break records on and off the field. The Portugal star has once again scripted history, becoming the first individual to reach one billion followers on all social media channels.
    Ronaldo is the most followed individual on Instagram, and recently started his YouTube channel ‘UR. Cristiano.’ The channel registered 50 million subscribers under one week, and also it took him only 90 minutes to break one million subscribers.
    The Al Nassr star announced the news on social media. Taking to X, he wrote, “We’ve made history — 1 BILLION followers! This is more than just a number – it’s a testament to our shared passion, drive, and love for the game and beyond.”
    “From the streets of Madeira to the biggest stages in the world, I’ve always played for my family and for you, and now 1 billion of us stand together.
    “You’ve been with me every step of the way, through all the highs and the lows. This journey is our journey, and together, we’ve shown that there are no limits to what we can achieve.
    “Thank you for believing in me, for your support, and for being part of my life. The best is yet to come, and we’ll keep pushing, winning, and making history together.”
    Ronaldo recently appeared on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, where he revealed that he was happy with the way the club was being run by its administrators, led by INEOS boss Jim Ratcliffe. He also had some advice for manager Erik Ten Hag, urging him to use former United teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy properly, with the Dutchman being hired as an assistant coach.
    The social media record comes just after Ronaldo created another record, becoming the first-ever football player to score 900 career goals. He also bagged the feat by scoring the winner in Portugal’s Nations League encounter vs Croatia. Source: HT

  • Nalanda: The ancient seat of knowledge

    Nalanda: The ancient seat of knowledge

    The most popular Mahavihara of the ancient times, a significant Buddhist seat of academic excellence and a modest pilgrim center, all wrapped in a wisp of spirituality, Nalanda continues to be an equally enriching location in the present. It offers vibrant substance of spirituality, history, culture, architecture, and tourism. This city houses one of the world’s oldest and finest residential universities which itself was an architectural masterpiece. Although in ruins, the entire complex presents a pretty picture and is flocked by tourists day in and day out. It has “viharas” or monasteries to the east and “chaiyas” or temples to the west. In addition to this, the complex houses a charming little museum, which has a collection of several of original Buddhist stupas, Hindu and Buddhist bronzes, coins, terracotta jars, a sample of burnt rice etc. The district is believed to be a cradle of religions. Apart from Buddhism, it is an important center for Jainism, Hinduism, and Sufism as well. Considering the rich heritage and the historical importance, it is a hot tourist destination.
    Nalanda University
    Nalanda University is a UNESCO world heritage site is located South Bihar. Considered as one of the oldest universities in the world and known as Nalanda Mahavira back in time, its origins date back to the 3rd century. Mahavira is a Sanskrit term for a great ‘Vihara'(Buddhist Monastery). Located about 85 km away from Patna, it is regarded as one of the greatest and oldest universities recorded in history. It finds references in the oldest epics of India as well as in the travels of Hiuen Tsang. The Gupta kings built various monasteries in old Kusan style of architecture. Emperor Ashoka and Emperor Harshavandhana were also patrons of this university who built few temples, viharas, and monasteries for the university. Former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam pitched the idea of reviving the university in March 2016. With reference found in the Tibetan and Chinese culture, the university was a centre of advanced Vedic learnings until it was ransacked by Bakhtiyar Khilji in the 12th century. Lord Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, but the university became popular in the later years when Hieun Tsang stayed here in the 7th century AD and he left a detailed description of the education system and monastic life of this place. The site was recovered by Archeological Survey of India in 1915. It’s said that the library of the university had so many books and manuscripts that it kept on burning for six months after the entire structure went up in flames.
    The Great Stupa
    Present amongst the ruins of the Nalanda University, this Stupa was built in the 3rd century by Ashoka in the honour of Sariputra. After the seven accretions to it, this structure is shaped like a pyramid and is flanked by flights of steps and splendid sculptures as well.
    Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall
    The Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall was built in memory of the Chinese scholar in the location where he was said to have resided for over 12 years during his time in the country. The memorial hall is home to writings of the scholar about his observations regarding medieval India, which forms the basis of much of the knowledge of that time.
    Pawapuri
    Pawapuri is a holy site for the Jains. It is situated in the Nalanda district of Bihar state in Eastern India. A long time ago, Pawapuri was the twin capital of Mall Mahajanpad. Mahajanpad later became a part of the kingdom of Magadha and Ajatshatru was a devotee of Lord Mahavira. During the rule of Ajatshatru, the king of Pawapuri was known as Hastipal. When in Pawapuri, Mahavira stayed in the Rajikshala of the king. It is considered as a sacred place because Lord Mahavira was buried here in 500 BC.
    Nalanda Archaeological Museum
    Housing the ancient relics of Nalanda University, this museum offers a glance into the culture of ancient Nalanda. Pala Art is displayed through the assorted artifacts maintained here.The statues here are mainly engraved on basalt stone, but others made out of stucco, bronze, stone and terracotta are also present.
    Kundalpur
    Located just outside Nalanda, Kundalpur is the place which is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last of Jain Tirthankaras. It is also the place of birth of Gautam Swamiji who was the first disciple of Lord Mahavira.A grand temple with beautiful spires has been built here to mark the birthplace with a four and half feet tall idol of Bhagwan Mahavira Padmasana. Within the complex, there is a serene Trikal Chaubeesi Jinmandir where there are 72 idols of Tirthankaras, representing 24 each of the past, present and the future age.

  • Vamana Jayanti

    Vamana Jayanti

    Vamana Jayanti is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is observed on the Dwadashi Tithi of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha. As per the Bhagwat Purana, Vamana was the fifth Avatar out of Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu and His first incarnation in the Treta Yuga. After the first four Avatars in the animal form, namely, Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar) and Narasimha (lion), Vamana was the first Avatar of Lord Vishnu in the human form. Vamana was born in Treta Yuga to Goddess Aditi and Rishi Kashyapa on the Dwadashi Tithi of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha during Abhijit Muhurat when the Shravana Nakshatra was prevailing.
    Vamana Jayanti is also known as Vamana Dwadashi.
    Vamana Jayanti Puja Vidhi
    On the day of Vamana Jayanti, Lord Vishnu is worshipped in his Vamana Avatar. On this day, Panchopachara or Shodashopachara Puja of golden or clay idol of Vamana is performed in the morning. Fast is also observed on Vamana Jayanti. After performing the Puja in the evening, Vamana Jayanti Vrat Katha is narrated and the fast is broken with Prasad. Donation of rice, curd and Mishri is also given on this day. The significance of Vamana Jayanti increases multiple times if it coincides with the Shravana Nakshatra.
    The Birth of Lord Vamana
    According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vamana is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the first among the Dashavatara to appear in a human form, albeit as a dwarf.
    His birth was a divine intervention to restore dharma and protect the universe from the tyranny of the demon king Mahabali.
    Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlada and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, was known for his generosity and righteousness. However, his growing power and dominance over the three worlds alarmed the Devas (gods), who sought the help of Lord Vishnu to reclaim their lost glory.
    The Divine Plan
    Lord Vishnu decided to incarnate as Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin, to subdue Mahabali without causing harm to his devotee. Born to Aditi and Kashyapa, Vamana’s appearance as a small, humble Brahmin boy was deceptive, hiding his immense divine power.
    Encounter with Mahabali
    During a grand yajna (sacrificial ritual) conducted by Mahabali, Vamana approached the demon king, seeking alms. Despite his advisors’ warnings, Mahabali, known for his benevolence, welcomed Vamana and offered him anything he desired.
    Vamana requested a seemingly modest gift: three paces of land. Amused and unaware of Vamana’s true identity, Mahabali agreed. As soon as the promise was made, Vamana began to grow in size, expanding to a cosmic form.
    With his first step, Vamana covered the entire earth. With his second step, he covered the heavens. Realizing there was no place left for his third step, Mahabali offered his own head as a resting place for the third step, thus surrendering his pride and power.
    The Blessing and Immortality
    Impressed by Mahabali’s humility and devotion, Vamana placed his third step on Mahabali’s head, pushing him down to Patala (the netherworld). However, as a boon, Lord Vishnu granted Mahabali the privilege of visiting his kingdom and people once a year, a festival celebrated as Onam in Kerala.
    This story of Vamana and Mahabali is a profound lesson in humility, devotion, and the ultimate victory of dharma over adharma.
    Vamana Jayanti is observed with various rituals and ceremonies that reflect the devotion and reverence towards Lord Vamana. These rituals vary across regions but generally include the following practices:

    Fasting (Upavasa)
    Devotees observe a day-long fast, abstaining from food and sometimes even water. This fast is broken only after performing the evening prayers and rituals dedicated to Lord Vamana.
    Morning Prayers
    The day begins with a purifying bath, followed by the chanting of Vedic mantras and prayers dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his Vamana avatar. Special prayers and hymns like the Vishnu Sahasranama and Vamana Stotra are recited.
    Idol or Picture Worship
    An idol or picture of Lord Vamana is placed on a clean altar. The idol is bathed (Abhishekam) with holy water, milk, and other sacred substances, symbolizing purification and reverence.
    Offering of Flowers and Incense
    Fresh flowers, incense sticks, and lamps (diyas) are offered to the deity. The fragrance of flowers and incense purifies the environment and invokes divine presence.
    Offering Naivedya
    Devotees prepare a variety of vegetarian dishes and offer them to Lord Vamana as Naivedya (sacred food). This offering is later distributed as Prasad among family members and devotees.
    Vishnu Sahasranama Recitation
    The recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama, a hymn comprising the thousand names of Lord Vishnu, is considered highly auspicious. This practice is believed to invoke divine blessings and protection.
    Charity and Donations
    Inspired by Mahabali’s generosity, devotees engage in charitable activities, donating food, clothes, and money to the needy. This act of charity is seen as a way to earn divine merit and blessings.

  • Core US inflation picks up, damping odds of outsize Fed cut

    Core US inflation picks up, damping odds of outsize Fed cut

    New York (TIP)- Underlying US inflation unexpectedly picked up in August on higher prices for housing and travel, undercutting the chances of an outsize Federal Reserve interest-rate cut next week. The so-called core consumer price index — which excludes food and energy costs — increased 0.3% from July, the most in four months, and 3.2% from a year ago, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed Wednesday. The three-month annualized rate advanced 2.1%, picking up from 1.6% in July, according to Bloomberg calculations.
    Economists see the core gauge as a better indicator of underlying inflation than the overall CPI. That measure climbed 0.2% from the prior month and 2.5% from a year ago in August, marking the fifth straight month the annual measure has eased and dragged down by cheaper gasoline prices.
    The BLS said shelter was “the main factor” in the overall advance.
    While Wednesday’s reading won’t deter the Fed from cutting interest rates next week, it reduces the chance of an outsize reduction. Even so, policymakers have made it clear that they’re highly focused on softness in the labor market, which is more likely to drive policy discussions and decisions in the months ahead. They’ll also have more data to consider leading up to their November and December meetings.
    Traders trimmed the probability that the Fed cuts rates by a half point next week to near zero. Treasury yields rose, S&P 500 futures edged lower and the dollar pared its losses on the day. Though the figures are reported on a one decimal point basis by the BLS, Fed officials and economists often look further out for a better sense of the inflation trajectory. On a two-decimal basis, core CPI rose 0.28% from July.
    In addition to shelter, the advance was boosted by airfares, apparel as well as daycare and preschool. Car insurance costs continued to rise, as did hotel stays.
    Shelter prices, the largest category within services, climbed 0.5%, the most since the start of the year. That marked the second month of acceleration and defied widespread expectations for a downshift. Owners’ equivalent rent — a subset of shelter and the biggest individual component of the CPI — rose at a similar pace.
    Excluding housing and energy, service prices advanced 0.3%, the most since April, according to Bloomberg calculations. While central bankers have stressed the importance of looking at such a metric when assessing the nation’s inflation trajectory, they compute it based on a separate index.
    That measure — known as the personal consumption expenditures price index — doesn’t put as much weight on shelter as the CPI does, partly why it’s trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target.
    The PCE measure, which will be released later this month, draws from the CPI as well as certain categories within the producer price index. The PPI report, due Thursday, is projected to show a tame pace of wholesale inflation.
    This is a modal window.The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported. Source: Bloomberg

  • India’s retail inflation at 3.65% in August 2024, within RBI’s 4% target: Govt data

    India’s retail inflation at 3.65% in August 2024, within RBI’s 4% target: Govt data

    New Delhi (TIP)- India’s retail inflation was 3.65% in August 2024, according to the All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released on Thursday, September 12, 2024. The combined inflation (rural and urban) fell to 3.65% in August 2024, compared to 6.83% in August 2023. However, it has increased by 110 basis points when compared to the previous month’s 3.54%. This was the second time in nearly five years that overall retail inflation fell below the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% inflation target. The last time was July 2024. The RBI’s inflation target is 4% with a tolerance band of +/- 2 percentage points, meaning that the target is within the range of 2% to 6%.
    What were the urban and rural
    inflation rates in India?
    Urban inflation fell to 3.14% in August 2024, compared to 6.59% in August 2023.
    Rural inflation fell to 4.16% in August 2024, compared to 7.02% in August 2023.
    How much was India’s food
    inflation in August 2024?
    The combined Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), which shows food inflation was 5.66% in August 2024, compared to 9.94% in August 2023.
    Urban food inflation fell to 4.99% in August 2024, compared to 10.42% in August 2023.
    Rural food inflation fell to 6.02% in August 2024, compared to 9.67% in August 2023.
    Tomatoes have exhibited the lowest year on year inflation (-47.91%) as well as lowest MoM change in index (-28.8%).
    The prices of vegetables rose the most by 10.71%, compared to the other item categories. In urban areas, the rise was 13.22% and in rural areas, it was 13.22%.
    The Indian stock market rallied today, with the benchmark BSE Sensex closing at 82,962.71 after the trading session today. This was a gain of 1.77% or 1439.55 points.
    The NSE Nifty closed at 25,388.90, a gain of 1.89% or 470.45 points.
    Source: HT

  • RBI penalises Axis Bank, HDFC Bank for deficiencies in regulatory compliance

    The RBI has imposed penalties totalling Rs 2.91 crore on Axis Bank and HDFC Bank for certain deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance. In a statement, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said a penalty of Rs 1.91 crore has been imposed on Axis Bank for contravention of certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, and non-compliance with certain directions on ‘Interest Rate on Deposits’, ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’ and ‘Credit Flow to Agriculture-Collateral free agricultural loans’.
    A penalty of Rs 1 crore has been imposed on HDFC Bank for non-compliance with certain directions on ‘interest rate on deposits’, ‘recovery agents engaged by banks’ and ‘customer service in banks’.
    Regarding Axis Bank, the RBI said a supervisory evaluation of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023 and a review of activities of its subsidiary company was carried out. A notice was issued.After considering Axis Bank’s reply to the notice, the RBI said charges against the bank were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty. The RBI said the bank had opened certain savings deposit accounts in the name of ineligible entities.
    International investors seeing higher returns in India: US Ambassador
    India is a country with immense investment opportunities where international investors are seeing higher returns compared to the other parts of the world, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said.
    “We see that investment opportunities are growing quickly here (in India). More and more international investors are seeing returns that are above and beyond in other parts of the world,” Garcetti said while addressing an event hosted by the Milken Institute in collaboration with the United States Mission in India. He said as a diplomatic mission, the US is encouraging institutional investors to pay greater attention to India and understand that the country is a complicated place just as the US is. “This (India) isn’t a place to make a quick rupee. If you are here for the long haul, you will be richly rewarded,” Garcetti said. As partners, India and the US need to be more strategic, he stated. “It isn’t just about bottom line returns, but if we are overly dependent on any one country, we will all see economic risk, not just security risk to our people. We have to diversify together and make investments that are catalytic to our people’s economic and physical security,” he said.

  • Google Search results will now show archived web pages via Wayback Machine

    Google Search results will now show archived web pages via Wayback Machine

    Google Search results will now include the historical context of links, providing information about recently updated web pages, the company announced on Wednesday. This initiative is part of a collaboration between the Mountain View-based tech giant and the Internet Archive – a US-based non-profit digital library that archives billions of web pages for future reference. This development builds upon the removal of the “cached” links feature in February that allowed users to view an older version of the web page.
    Archived Web Pages on Google Search
    In a blog post, the Internet Archive announced that archived web pages will now show in Google search results. To access previous versions of links, users need to select the three-dot option that appears next to a search result and choose More about this page in the About this result panel. It will show up alongside a link to the previous versions of that website with the See previous versions text.
    The new feature leverages the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, displaying the website exactly how it looked on a previous date.
    In a statement given to 9to5Google, Google said, “we’ve added links to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to our ‘About this page’ feature, to give people quick context and make this helpful information easily accessible through Search.”
    Google’s new archived links feature is still being rolled out and users globally may be able to see it in the coming days. It will be available to users in 40 languages. Gadgets 360 staff members were able to verify its availability on multiple websites.
    While the tech giant previously offered similar functionality with one of its oldest features dubbed “cached” links, it was silently removed in February. Following its removal, users could leverage the operator “cache:[insert URL]” but this feature was also speculated to be removed soon. At the time, Google Search Liason theorised that one of the ways similar functionality could be brought back was via a link to the Wayback Machine, and this feature has finally been rolled out.

  • Apple debuts iPhone 16 with AI software in American English coming next month

    Apple debuts iPhone 16 with AI software in American English coming next month

    Apple on Septuneber 9 mveiled its artificial intelligence-boosted iPhone 16, showing off the long-awaited phone hours after Chinese rival Huawei’s tri-fold phone began racking up orders. “The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up. It marks the beginning of an exciting new era,” Chief Executive Tim Cook said at a product launch.
    Apple and technology companies around the world are racing to add AI to products, and phones are expected to be one of the most important battlegrounds. The Cupertino, California-based company also is betting the AI feature will drive consumers to upgrade amid a slowdown in iPhone sales.
    Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI software, will be used to improve its personal assistant as well as enhancing features such as understanding and identifying objects captured by the phone camera. “Apple Intelligence marks the start of a new era for Siri and makes it more natural, more contextually relevant and more personal to you,” said Apple’s software engineering chief, Craig Federighi.
    A test version of Apple Intelligence will be available in English as spoken in the U.S. next month. It will be available for other localized versions of English in December, with versions in languages including Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish next year.
    The iPhone 16 will use the new A18 chip and have an aluminum back, as well as a new customizable button that can be used for camera controls. The iPhone 16 will start at $799 and the iPhone 16 Plus will start at $899.
    Apple also unveiled iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, titanium models with a faster chip, the A18 Pro, and more AI capability, such as offering suggestions on how to set up a photo shoot more effectively. The iPhone 16 Pro will start at $999 and the 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199.
    Huawei’s website showed on Monday that it had garnered more than 3 million pre-orders for its Z-shaped tri-fold phone. This underscores Huawei’s ability to navigate U.S. sanctions and solidifies its position against Apple in China, where consumers are hankering for more AI features and are willing to pay for them.
    WATCHES AND AIRPODS
    Apple also unveiled new Watches and AirPods. The new Series 10 Watch starts at $399, is thinner than its predecessor and has an up to 30% larger screen than previous generations. Apple highlighted the Watch’s ability to help with sports and health issues, including finding longer-term conditions such as sleep apnea as well as detecting and responding to emergencies such as a fall.
    Apple also launched a new version of the more rugged Watch Ultra 2, starting at $799. The new AirPods 4 have a new design for more comfortable wearing and improved acoustics. And Apple rolled out hearing-aid features that it has submitted for U.S. Source: Reuters

  • Ancient moon lost in time could be behind Mars’s extreme terrain

    Ancient moon lost in time could be behind Mars’s extreme terrain

    A long-lost moon could explain Mars’ unusual shape and extreme terrain, according to a new hypothesis proposed by Michael Efroimsky, an astronomer at the US Naval Observatory.
    In a paper submitted to the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Efroimsky suggests that Mars may have once had a much larger moon, named Nerio, which could have dramatically altered the planet’s landscape.
    Mars is known for hosting some of the most extreme terrain in the solar system, including Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano, and Valles Marineris, the largest canyon.
    One of the most notable features is the Tharsis bulge, a massive highland region near Mars’ equator. Opposite this region lies Terra Sabaea and Syrtis Major, further highland areas and a large shield volcano.
    These features create an unusual imbalance in the planet’s shape, which Efroimsky believes could be explained by Nerio’s gravitational influence.
    “The new study the possibility of a young Mars having had a massive moon, which synchronised the rotation of Mars, and gave Mars an initial asymmetric triaxiality to be later boosted by geological processes,” the paper read.
    Efroimsky proposes that the large moon’s mass could have caused tidal bulges in Mars’ molten surface, similar to how Earth’s moon raises tides in our oceans.
    However, because Mars is smaller than Earth, it cooled more quickly, locking the planet’s surface into its current distorted form. Nerio’s presence could have set the stage for the Red Planet’s dramatic landscape, with subsequent geological processes enhancing the initial deformations.
    The fate of Nerio remains a mystery. Efroimsky suggests the moon could have been destroyed in a collision, leaving behind Mars’ two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, or it may have been ejected from the solar system due to gravitational interactions with another body.

  • Mpox doesn’t easily spread through air: How it transmits among humans

    Mpox doesn’t easily spread through air: How it transmits among humans

    Amid the global outbreak of mpox, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report suggests that, unlike Covid-19, the mpox virus (earlier known as monkeypox), doesn’t easily spread through the air.
    Mpox, which is caused by the Monkeypox virus ( a zoonotic virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus), can spread from person to person mainly through close contact skin-to-skin.
    This includes touching or sex and mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin contact (such as kissing), and can also include being face-to-face with someone who has mpox (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate infectious respiratory particles).
    The CDC’s ‘Morbidity and Mortality’ weekly report included a study on 113 persons with mpox who travelled on 221 flights during 2021-22.
    The results showed that none of the 1,046 passenger contacts got infected.
    The findings suggest that “travelling on a flight with a person with mpox does not appear to constitute an exposure risk or warrant routine contact tracing activities.”
    Though the WHO does reveal that face-to-face contact with someone who has mpox could spread, but it is less likely.
    During the 2022 mpox outbreak, the virus was mainly transmitted through sexual contact.
    However, more research is needed on how mpox spreads during outbreaks in different settings and under different conditions, say WHO researchers.
    The main symptom of mpox is skin rash that develop into pus-filled lesions, which may last for two to four weeks.
    Other symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, sore throat and cough, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes).
    People with mpox are considered infectious until all their lesions have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath, and all the lesions on the eyes and in the body (in the mouth, throat, eyes, vagina and anus) have healed too.
    The skin rash can vary depending on the variant of mpox: clade Ib and clade II.
    Clade Ib, the new strain that prompted WHO to make it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), is more severe and dangerous than clade II.

  • Late bedtimes linked to 50% higher diabetes risk

    Late bedtimes linked to 50% higher diabetes risk

    Night owls — a person who is habitually active or wakeful at night — tend to have a higher body mass index (BMI), larger waists, and more hidden body fat and thus are almost 50 per cent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) than those who go to bed earlier, shows new research on Monday. Previous studies have indicated that late chronotype — people who prefer to go to bed late and wake up late — live an unhealthy lifestyle, and are at higher risk of obesity and metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes.
    The new study showed that a late chronotype had a 46 per cent higher risk of developing diabetes, which suggests that the increased risk of T2D can’t be explained by lifestyle alone.
    “We believe that other mechanisms are also at play,” said lead researcher Dr. Jeroen van der Velde, from Leiden University Medical Centre, in the Netherlands.
    “A likely explanation is that the circadian rhythm or body clock in late chronotypes is out of sync with the work and social schedules followed by society. This can lead to circadian misalignment, which we know can lead to metabolic disturbances and ultimately type 2 diabetes,” van der Velde added. To explore, the team studied the association between sleep timing, diabetes, and body fat distribution in more than 5,000 individuals who were divided into three groups: early chronotype (20 per cent), late chronotype (20 per cent), and intermediate chronotype (60 per cent).
    The team measured all participants’ BMI and waist circumference, while visceral fat and liver fat were measured in 1,526 participants, using MRI scans and MR spectroscopy, respectively.
    About 225 were diagnosed with diabetes after a follow-up of 6.6 years. Late chronotypes were found to be at higher risk of developing diabetes, had a 0.7 kg/m2 higher BMI, 1.9 cm larger waist circumference, 7 cm2 more visceral fat, and 14 per cent higher liver fat content, compared with those with an intermediate chronotype. Source: IANS

  • Drug regulator suspends permission for eye drops claiming to replace reading glasses

    Drug regulator suspends permission for eye drops claiming to replace reading glasses

    Taking serious note of Mumbai-based Entod Pharmaceuticals’ claims that it can help reduce dependency on reading glasses for those suffering from presbyopia, the Drugs Controller General of India has suspended the permission granted to manufacture and sell their new eye drops.
    According to the National Eye Institute, presbyopia is a refractive error that makes it hard for middle-aged and older adults to see things up close.
    The drug regulator said the company made claims for the drug product for which it had not obtained approval from the Central Licensing Authority, thereby violating provisions under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019.
    In an order issued on September 10, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) said the Directorate had issued permission on August 20 for the manufacture and marketing of Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution for the treatment of presbyopia in adults.
    Then on September 4, the drug regulator had asked for an explanation from the company for the claims it made in the press following which the drug-maker also submitted its response.
    In response to the claim “first eye drop in India designed to reduce the need for reading glasses”, the order stated that the company said there are currently no other eye drops approved for the treatment of presbyopia in India.
    “In this regard, you are informed that the Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP 1.25 per cent w/v has not been approved for any such claim that it is designed to reduce the need for reading glasses,” the order said.
    In response to the claim that “this eye drop offers a non-invasive option that can enhance near vision without the need for reading glasses”, the company submitted that in the clinical trial conducted, subjects did not wear glasses to participate.
    “In this regard, you are informed that the Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP 1.25 pc w/v is approved for the treatment of Presbyopia in adults and is not approved for such claim that these eye drops can enhance near vision without the need for reading glasses,” the order said.
    In response to the claim “PresVu can provide an advanced alternative that augments near vision within 15 minutes”, the firm in its response stated that one doctor had evaluated the drug product as compared to reading glasses.
    “In this regard, you are informed that the Pilocarpine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution USP 1.25 pc w/v is approved for the treatment of Presbyopia in adults and is not approved for such claim that PresVu can provide an advanced alternative that augments near vision within 15 minutes,” the order read.
    The drug regulator stated that the company had failed to respond to the queries and tried to justify the claims for the product for which no approval was granted.

  • Egg mask for hair growth and thickness

    Egg mask for hair growth and thickness

    Eggs are a nutrient-dense source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are beneficial to hair as well as overall health. They’re high in vitamin B-complex and biotin – both help to strengthen your hair’s roots. The nutrients in eggs help encourage new hair growth and enhance volume, which is one of the many benefits of applying egg on hair. Let’s have a look at what’s more in store for you if you use egg mask for hair growth.
    Here are some easy egg hair mask recipes that will leave your hair looking healthy, lustrous, and frizz-free. Continue reading to see how to make a simple egg mask for hair growth and thickness:
    Here are some easy egg hair mask recipes that will leave your hair healthy, lustrous, and frizz-free. Continue reading to learn how to apply egg on hair and how to use egg for hair thickening, ensuring growth and improved volume:
    Egg Hair Mask for Dry Hair
    This hair mask is a protein hair treatment with a lot of power. Protein, fatty acids, and vitamins A, D, and E are all abundant in egg yolk. These nutrients help to encourage hair development and keep it from falling out. This mask also contains olive oil, which thickens and softens your hair while exfoliating it. This egg mask for hair growth also inhibits premature greying. This hair mask contains vitamin-rich egg yolk and olive oil, helping prevent hair loss, specifically in dry and rough hair.
    Ingredients: 2 egg yolks, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup water
    Instructions: Toss the egg yolks with two tablespoons of olive oil in a mixing bowl. Add half a cup of water and stir well. Using your fingers, spread the mixture evenly on your scalp. Use a shower cap after applying the mixture to allow the solution to permeate your scalp to the roots. Wash it out after 15-20 minutes as you normally would. You can shampoo your hair after this natural remedy, depending on the texture of your hair. This is an effective treatment. As a result, merely doing it once or twice a month should suffice.
    Mix egg yolks with two tablespoons of olive oil in a mixing bowl. Add half a cup of water and stir well. Wondering how to apply egg on hair? Use your fingers to spread the mixture evenly on your scalp. Cover your hair with a shower cap to allow the solution to permeate your scalp to the roots. After 15-20 minutes, wash it out as you normally would. Depending on your hair texture, you may shampoo afterwards. This treatment is effective, so it should be used once or twice a month. This method demonstrates how to use egg for hair thickening and improved health.
    Egg Hair Mask for Oily Hair
    Excess hair oil can cause a variety of issues, ranging from clogging pores to causing acne and other scalp issues. The oiliness of your hair can be reduced with this hair mask. Honey, which is an excellent acne treatment, and olive oil, which has moisturising properties, are both used in the mask.
    Ingredients: 2 egg whites, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil
    Instructions: To form a thick paste, combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. With your fingers, spread the mask evenly on your scalp. After applying the mixture, cover it with a shower hat to allow it to dry. Allow for a 20-minute rest period. Depending on the texture of your hair, rinse it out and shampoo it. If your hair is long, you can prepare more of this hair mask.
    Egg Mask for Hair Growth and Thickness
    The egg mask for hair growth and thickness works miracles on dry hair, allowing you to get all of the deep conditioning benefits. Both almond and coconut oil have characteristics that can help your dry hair come back to life, so combine them with the protein in egg whites and let the treatment work its magic on your locks.
    Ingredients: 2 egg whites, 4 Tbsp almond oil, 2 Tbsp coconut oil
    Instructions: To create an egg mask for hair growth and thickness, in a mixing dish, add 4 to 5 tablespoons of almond oil, 3 to 4 tablespoons egg whites, and 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and gently massage the mask into your hair and scalp. Shampoo and rinse your hair with cold water. Don’t apply a conditioner to your hair. Use the mask three times a week for optimum results and see your dry hair come back to life.

  • Crispy fried chicken wontons

    Crispy fried chicken wontons

    Ingredients
    Chicken – 300 gms, cooked, minced, Onion – 2, large, minced, Spring Onions – 3, minced, green parts only, Egg – 2, separated, egg yolks beaten well, Fish Sauce – 2 tblsp, Sugar – 2 tblsp, Pepper Powder – 1 tsp, Wonton Wrappers – 20 to 25, separated, Oil as required
    Method
    – Mix the chicken, onions, spring onions, egg white, fish sauce, pepper powder and sugar in a large bowl.Mix well for 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly stiff.
    – Separate the wonton wrappers and cut each into triangles. Add 1 or 2 tblsp of the chicken mixture on each triangle. Brush the edges with the egg yolk and place another triangle on top.
    – Press the edges and seal completely. Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium flame. Fry the prepared wontons for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain excess oil.

  • Foods to reverse ageing, reduce wrinkles

    Foods to reverse ageing, reduce wrinkles

    Anti-ageing involves strategies and treatments designed to counteract or slow the visible effects of ageing on the skin. Key causes of effective anti-ageing include a healthy lifestyle, proper skincare, and advanced cosmetic treatments. A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, regular hydration, and protection from UV radiation are crucial. Additionally, skincare products containing retinoids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can help stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture.
    Berries
    Berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, are packed with antioxidants like vitamins C and E. These compounds help neutralise free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. This promotes healthier, more resilient skin by supporting collagen production and reducing signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles.
    Avocado
    Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamins E and C, which are essential for maintaining skin elasticity and hydration. The healthy fats in avocados help to keep the skin’s lipid barrier intact, while antioxidants fight oxidative stress, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promoting a youthful complexion.
    Nuts
    Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts are high in healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamin E. These nutrients help to maintain skin hydration, protect against oxidative damage, and reduce inflammation.
    Fatty fish
    Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s help maintain the skin’s elasticity, reduce inflammation, and keep it hydrated.

  • Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner divorced after year-long custody battle for daughters

    Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner divorced after year-long custody battle for daughters

    A Florida judge has declared Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner divorced and single, signing off on a confidential agreement reached between the two. The Miami-Dade County judge approved the agreement on Friday, one year after the 35-year-old Jonas Brothers singer filed to divorce the 28-year-old Game of Thrones and X Men actor and five years after the two were married.
    The split brought a quiet and relatively quick end to a divorce that briefly became acrimonious and looked headed for a long and ugly custody fight. The documents said that moderated negotiations led to an agreement on splitting assets, spousal support and custody of their two daughters, 4-year-old Willa and 2-year-old Delphine.
    Judge Gina Beovides declared that the marriage was “irretrievably broken,” and that the couple’s agreement, especially their parenting plan, was in the best interest of the family. After-hours emails seeking comment from representatives of both Turner and Jonas were not immediately returned.
    The couple met through Instagram messages and began dating in 2016. They married in a secretive ceremony at a Las Vegas wedding chapel in May of 2019 after the Billboard Music Awards. Country duo Dan + Shay performed at the wedding.
    Jonas filed for divorce in September of 2023. In the filing he sought joint custody and said the two had a pre-nuptial agreement. The following day the two posted an identical amicable statement to each of their Instagram accounts. But the split turned into a serious dispute within weeks when Turner sued to force Jonas to turn over the girls’ passports so they could join her in her native England.
    The daughters, who were born in the US but have dual citizenship, were with Joe Jonas in New York, where he was on tour, according to court documents, in which Turner said they had been planning on raising the girls together in England when their marriage fell apart. Turner said she learned of Jonas’ divorce filing through the media, while Jonas said the two had had multiple conversations about it.
    The custody fight was dropped in January, a sign that the two were on a path to a settlement. Turner, who is from Northampton, England, played Sansa Stark for eight seasons on HBO’s Game of Thrones and played Jean Grey in 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse and 2019’s Dark Phoenix.

  • Selena Gomez joins youngest billionaires club

    Selena Gomez joins youngest billionaires club

    American singer-actor Selena Gomez has officially joined the ranks of one of the youngest billionaires. According to Deadline, the Only Murders in the Building actor has achieved this financial feat primarily through the success of her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, alongside other lucrative ventures.
    Launched in 2019, Rare Beauty has significantly contributed to Gomez’s estimated net worth of USD 1.3 billion, positioning her as one of the youngest female billionaires in the United States. The beauty brand accounts for about 81.4 percent of her overall net worth, the report stated.
    Gomez’s wealth is not solely attributed to her beauty brand. The valuation encompasses her stake in the mental health startup Wondermind, revenue from music album sales, real estate investments, and earnings from streaming deals, brand partnerships, concert tours, and acting projects.

  • Jennifer Garner’s relationship with John Miller in jeopardy due to her attention towards Ben Affleck

    Jennifer Garner’s relationship with John Miller in jeopardy due to her attention towards Ben Affleck

    Jennifer Garner’s immediate attention towards Ben Affleck amid divorce from Jennifer Lopez has put Garner’s relationship with her boyfriend John Miller in jeopardy. RadarOnline revealed that Miller and Garner’s relationship is on the rocks as the former felt neglected while the latter was busy consoling Affleck. Garner and Miller have been together since 2018 and rumors of engagement were also doing rounds until Affleck and Lopez’s divorce came to light. An insider revealed to the media outlet, “John is at the end of his rope with what he considers Jen’s ‘unfathomable’ support for her ex-hubby while ignoring him in the process.” Garner and Affleck spent almost a week together while they helped their daughter Violet settle into her dorm as she moved to Yale for college.
    An insider cited this close relationship as the reason for Lopez’s sudden move to file for divorce on the second anniversary of their nuptials in Georgia. The insider said, “J.Lo was making a point that she was humiliated by Jen and Ben’s ridiculous closeness. Don’t think John didn’t feel the same way. John is still incredulous the woman he was close to marrying pushed him aside to focus on repairing her ex’s love life. How is he supposed to feel?”
    Sources added that Miller understands that Affleck and Garner share a past but he also believes that it’s time she starts living in the present. The reports from the media outlet also state that the Batman actor continues to blow up Garner’s phone as he navigates through the divorce and Miller believes Garner should instruct him to delete her number now.
    Meanwhile, Garner is also at a point where she wants to focus on her boyfriend and their relationship and let Affleck deal with his problems on his own.
    A source revealed, “Garner realizes she may have overplayed her hand by putting John in second place in this dynamic. Now she’s trying to woo him back and salvage the relationship.”
    After the divorce from J.Lo, Garner has been there for Affleck like no one else has. RadarOnline previously reported that the two are said to be “secretly back together” after Affleck’s divorce. The insider said to the media outlet, “It started months ago. Just look at how happy they look. They’ve gotten a second chance at love.”

  • Rakul Preet Singh on nepotism: ‘Films have been taken away from me’

    Rakul Preet Singh on nepotism: ‘Films have been taken away from me’

    Rakul Preet Singh has shared her take on nepotism, while admitting that she has lost films because of it. In the latest episode of Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, the actor admitted she too would help out her kids in the future, if needed. Rakul Preet said nepotism was a fact of life, and the sooner people accepted it, the better it is for them.
    When asked if she lost out on projects because of nepotism, Rakul said in Hindi, “Of course, and then as a result, you can become bitter. But this is not just part of the film industry, opportunities can be snatched away from you in any other industry, like the medical field… and I think that’s life, the sooner you understand this, the better it is for your progress.”
    The actor, without taking any names, added, “Tomorrow, if my kids want help, of course, I will help them out and not force the same struggle as I had to undergo on them. Similarly, if star kids get easy access, it is because their parents have worked hard. So nepotism is not something I think too much about. Yes this is a reality, films have been taken away from me, but I am not a person who will get bitter. Maybe these projects were not meant for me. I move on. I feel bad for a day and then snatch out of it.”
    Earlier in July, Rakul Preet was seen in Indian 2, which was headlined by veteran actor Kamal Haasan. Indian 2 is the sequel to the 1996 film Indian, which also starred Kamal as Veerasekaran Senapathy. The sequel marked the reunion of Kamal and director S Shankar.
    On working with Shankar, Rakul Preet had told ANI at the time of the film’s release, “It’s a privilege to be working with such a remarkable filmmaker, who is a legend in himself. He’s such an amazing director. The way he looks at characters, his vision, and the nuances he adds with his guidance on the set. I’ve learned so much from him while filming Indian 2. Truly an experience!” Rakul Preet is now working on De De Pyaar De 2.

  • Ajay Devgn and Vaani Kapoor’s Raid 2 to release in theatres on February 21

    Ajay Devgn and Vaani Kapoor’s Raid 2 to release in theatres on February 21

    Ajay Devgn is one of the busiest actors in the industry. He is currently busy in the shoot of Son of Sardar 2. The shooting is going on in the UK. Amid this, the release date of his film Raid 2 has been announced. It will be released on 21st February, 2025. Vaani Kapoor will be seen in the lead role. Fans are super excited about this news.
    Taran Adarsh shared the poster on his Instagram handle and wrote, “AJAY DEVGN – RITEISH DESHMUKH – VAANI KAPOOR: ‘RAID 2’ RELEASE DATE LOCKED… #Raid2 – starring #AjayDevgn as IRS Officer #AmayPatnaik – to arrive in *cinemas* next year: 21 Feb 2025… Directed by #RajkumarGupta. #RiteishDeshmukh portrays the antagonist… The film also features #VaaniKapoor and #RajatKapoor… Extensively filmed across #Delhi and #Lucknow.” As soon as the news was shared, fans reacted. One of the fans wrote, “Ritesh Deshmukh in a villain role again after ek villain and marjaavan.” Another wrote, “Itna late.”
    Earlier, the film was scheduled to release on 15th November 2024 but the release date has been changed. The official X(formerly Twitter) handle of T-Series had dropped a poster that featured a pair of legs sporting classy shoes. The text read, “Amay Patnaik is back.” It also revealed the release date of the film i.e. November 15, 2024. The caption stated, ‘The wait is over! Ajay Devgn is back as IRS Officer Amay Patnaik in #Raid2, ready to bring another true case to the big screen on 15th November 2024!. IRS officer Amay Patnaik AKA Ajay Devgn is all set to get a new tip this time! So, are you ready to know whose house will be raided by him this time?”
    In January, Ajay had shared the announced the sequel of Raid 2. He even shared the poster saying Amay Patnaik is back. The first part of the movie was inspired by a real-life income-tax raid conducted by the officers of the Income Tax Department under the Indian Revenue Service office in the 1980s. In the movie, Ajay played an honest Income Tax Officer who raids an influential man in Lucknow. The movie received positive reviews from critics and also turned out to be a box-office success.
    Touted to be one of the most-awaited sequels, the film went on floors on 6th January in Mumbai and brought together director Rajkumar Gupta and producers Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Krishan Kumar.
    Raid, which also featured Saurabh Shukla and Ileana D’Cruz, was based on the real-life raid conducted by the officers of the Income Tax Department in the 1980s. Devgn’s most recent releases were Maidaan, a period sports drama, and Neeraj Pandey’s Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha. His next movie is Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again.