The Indian Panorama

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  • Virat Kohli to quit national T20 captaincy after World Cup

    Virat Kohli to quit national T20 captaincy after World Cup

    Dubai (TIP): Virat Kohli on Thursday, Sept 16,  announced he will step down as India’s T20 skipper after the T20 World Cup in UAE but will continue to lead the side in ODIs and Test cricket, a decision that paves the way for Rohit Sharma to captain in the shortest format.

    “I’ve decided to step down as the T20 captain after this T20 World Cup in Dubai in October,” the 32-year-old Kohli, who is here to compete in the IPL that resumes on Sunday, said in a statement posted on his Twitter page.

    “Understanding workload is a very important thing and considering my immense workload over the last 8-9 years playing all three formats and captaining regularly for last five to six years, I feel I need to give myself space to be fully ready to lead Indian team in Test and ODI cricket,” Kohli explained.

    For some time, there has been speculation surrounding Kohli’s future as white-ball captain especially in the backdrop of Rohit’s brilliant track record of winning five IPL titles for Mumbai Indians.

    The 34-year-old Rohit is Kohli’s deputy in the white-ball formats and is most likely to take up the leadership role when India clashes with New Zealand in a home series in November that will feature three T20 Internationals along with two Test matches.

    BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, in a statement issued by the Board after Kohli’s announcement, said the body has been in discussion with Kohli for a while now.

    “We have a clear roadmap for Team India. Considering the workloads and ensuring that we have smooth transition, Mr Virat Kohli has decided to step down as T20I Captain after the upcoming World Cup,” Shah said.

    “I have been in discussions with Virat and the leadership team for the last six months and the decision has been thought through.

    “Virat will continue to contribute as a player and as a senior member of the side in shaping the future course of Indian cricket,” he added.

    Kohli took over India’s limited-overs captaincy in 2017, succeeding Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

    “I have given my everything to the Team during my time as T20 captain and I will continue to do so for the T20 captain and will continue to do so for the T20 team as a batsman moving forward,” he further added.

    The decision, Kohli said, was taken after consulting head coach Ravi Shastri, his heir apparent Rohit, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

    The T20 World Cup starts on October 17 and Kohli will be under intense pressure to deliver the trophy.

    “Of course, arriving at this decision took a lot of time. After a lot of contemplation and discussions with my close people, Ravi bhai and also Rohit, who have been an essential part of the leadership group…,” Kohli stated.

    “I have also spoken to the secretary Mr Jay Shah and president of BCCI Mr Sourav Ganguly along with the selectors about the same. I will continue to serve Indian cricket and Indian cricket team to the best of my ability,” Kohli said.

    Kohli has played 90 T20 Internationals scoring 3,159 runs with 28 fifties and captained India in 45 of those games winning 27 and losing 14.

    He has a winning percentage of 65.11.

    “I have been fortunate enough to not only represent India but also lead the Indian cricket team to my utmost capability,” the flamboyant star batsman said.

    “I thank everyone who has supported me in my journey as the captain of the Indian cricket team.

    “I could not have done it without them—the boys, the support staff, the selection committee, my coaches and each and every Indian who prayed for us to win,” Kohli said.      Source: PTI

  • Anant Chaturdashi

    Anant Chaturdashi

    The Anant Chaturdashi fast holds a great deal of importance in the Hindu religion. The festival is also known by the name of Anant Chaudas. The day commemorates the Lord of numerous avatars, Lord Vishnu.

    Coming on the 14th day of the Shukla paksha of the Bhadrapad month in the Hindu Calendar, the festival celebrates the spirit of oneness and a common brotherhood. This year, Anant Chaturdashi falls on September 19.

    On Anant Chaturdashi, after paying homage to Lord Vishnu, a thread is being tied onto his arm. This thread could either be a silk thread or cotton one and must have 14 knots in it. The Ganesh Visarjan is also celebrated on the same days as Anant Chaudas. The entire nation celebrates this festival with great zeal and enthusiasm. A lot many processions of the lord are also taken out in the masses to get everyone ringing in the festivity together.

    Anant Chaturdashi as per the Scriptures

    – The fast on this festival is observed on the 14th day of the Shukla Paksha, of the Bhadrapad month in the Hindu Calendar. For this condition to be satisfied, the 14th day must start after 2 muhurats from the time of the sunrise.

    – If the Chaturdashi date falls after the sunrises two muhurats and ceases before it, then the festival of Anant Chaturdashi is to be celebrated a day prior to this. The whole procession of the festival, the worshipping, the paying homage, the fast, everything must take place in the first half of the day to maintain the auspiciousness of the rituals. If by any chance, you couldnt find time to do it at that phase, itll be better if you do it in the first time frame of the middle phase of the day. The first time frame of the middle phase of the day is from the 7th and the 9th muhurat.

    Anant Chaturdashi Puja Vidhi and Vrat

    In the Agni Puran, the importance of observing a fast is being stressed upon. This day commemorates the infinite forms of the Lord Vishnu. This worshipping is done in the noon time, the Pujan Vidhi is mentioned below:

    • On this day, after proper bath, take a bow and place a kalash on the Pujan altar.
    • Establishment of a kalash which has an Ashtadal lotus made of kush on a vase can be installed, or if you wish you can also use a picture of Lord Vishnu.
    • After this prepare a thread by dipping it in vermilion, saffron, and turmeric. It must have 14 knots. Keep this thread in front of the idol of Lord Vishnu.
    • Now, worship the thread and the idol of the lord with Shadoshopchar method and chant the mantra thats being mentioned below. After thats being done, you are to tie the sacred thread around your arm.
    • The men are supposed to tie it on their left arm and the women are supposed to wear it round their right arm. After this offer food to the Brahmans and accept the prasad with your entire family.

    The Significance of Anant Chaturdashi

    As per the mythology, the festival of Anant Chaturdashi has its roots in the epic Mahabharata. The day is being celebrated as the day of Lord Vishnu. The lord created 14 loks, Tal, Atal, Vital, Sutal, Talatal, Rasatal, Paatal, Bhi, Bhuva, Jan, Tap, Satya, mah. In order to follow and protect these, he came down to this mortal world in the form of 14 different avatars, which gave him the name of being infinite. He knew he had save his people and his creations, for which these avatars played a major role. Therefore, the day of Anant Chaturdashi has great importance, since you can please the lord of creation himself and be blessed with his choicest blessings. The fast thats being observed on this day also holds a major significance. All this is said to please him and provide you with an eternal life full of bliss and contentment. It is also believed that along with fasting on this day, if any person recites the Vishnu Sahasranama stotra, all his wishes are fulfilled and he gets what he desires for from the Lord. This fast is done to attain wealth, abundance, and prosperity in ones life. The desire of having ample money, happiness and children etc lures the man to seek the lords blessings on his mortal existence. This fast is prevalent in many states of India. On this day folk tales of Lord Vishnu are heard by the members of the family.

    Legendary tales surrounding Anant Chaturdashi

    According to the take in the epic Mahabharata, the Kauravas defeated the Pandavas in gambling with the help of turning against them and going behind their back in the act of deceiving. After this, the Pandavas had to lose their kingdom, their wealth, and all the luxuries and go for a period of exile in the wilderness. In this duration, they had to endure much pains and hardships to get through it. One fine day, Lord Krishna went to greet the Pandavas in the forest. After greeting him with proper respect, the eldest of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira asked him for a way, through which they can come back to the track and get their lost kingdom and wealth back with respect. The Lord upon hearing this, gave him an antidote that could solve all his problems in life and fulfill his hearts desire. This remedy was the fast of Anant Chaturdashi, that commemorates Lord Vishnu who is the sole provider of solace. He advised him to observe this fast and pay homage to Lord Vishnu with his wife and brothers.

    After hearing this, Yudhishthira asked Krishna to explain who is Anant. Lord Krishna went in great details to let him know that Lord Anant is another avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu rests in the Chaturmas on the sheshnaag for an infinite time. Anant lord in the avatar of Vaaman went through the three loks in just 2 pags. No one knows about his start, his end and thats one of the major reason hes called and known by the name, infinite. By worshipping him all the woes and issues that you gave on your life will cease to exist and youll be able to live a life that youve always wanted.

    After the tale got ended, Yudhishthira pledged to observe this fast with his family, and after its successful completion he was able to regain his lost kingdom and wealth.

  • Ozone hole over Antarctica larger than usual, scientists say

    Ozone hole over Antarctica larger than usual, scientists say

    Berlin (TIP): Scientists say the hole in the Earth’s protective ozone layer over the Southern Hemisphere is larger than usual this year and already surpasses the size of Antarctica.

    The European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service said Thursday that the so-called ozone hole, which appears every year during the Southern Hemisphere spring, has grown considerably in the past week following an average start.

    “Forecasts show that this year´s hole has evolved into a rather larger than usual one,” said Vincent-Henri Peuch, who heads the EU’s satellite monitoring service.

    “We are looking at a quite big and potentially also deep ozone hole,” he said.

    Atmospheric ozone absorbs ultraviolet light coming from the sun. Its absence means more of this high-energy radiation reaches the Earth, where it can harm living cells.

    Peuch noted that last year’s ozone hole also started out unremarkably but then turned into one of the longest-lasting ones on record.

    The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, led to a ban on a group of chemicals called halocarbons that were blamed for exacerbating the annual ozone hole. Experts say that while the ozone layer is beginning to recover, it’s likely to take until the 2060s for the ozone-depleting substances used in refrigerants and spray cans to completely disappear from the atmosphere.                                                                                 Source: AP

  • Microsoft to buy back up to $60 bln in shares

    Microsoft to buy back up to $60 bln in shares

    Microsoft Corp said it will conduct an up to $60 billion share buyback program, raise its quarterly dividend by 11%, and appoint company President Brad Smith as vice chair.

    Microsoft said the buyback program has no expiration date and may be terminated at any time, and that it would pay a dividend of $0.62 per share – 6 cents over the previous quarter.

    The U.S. technology giant also called the vice chair position an updated executive role for Smith, who currently leads a team of over 1,500 staff in 54 countries, according to his biography on Microsoft’s website.

    Smith joined Microsoft in 1993 from law firm Covington & Burling to run corporate and legal affairs operations in Europe. He became general counsel in 2002 and, over the next decade, handled the resolution of antitrust cases, the biography showed.

    Smith will continue to report to Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella, Microsoft said.

  • Bad bank to resolve Rs 2 lakh cr stressed loans, says finance minister

    Bad bank to resolve Rs 2 lakh cr stressed loans, says finance minister

    New Delhi (TIP): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, Sept 16,  announced a Rs 30,600 crore government guarantee for National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) for acquiring stressed loan assets, paving the way for operationalisation of the bad bank.

    The decision to provide sovereign guarantee for security receipts (SRs) issued by the NARCL was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

    The Finance Minister in Budget 2021-22 had announced setting up of a bad bank as part of resolution of bad loans worth about Rs 2 lakh crore.

    The bad bank or the NARCL will pay up to 15 per cent of the agreed value for the loans in cash and the remaining 85 per cent would be government-guaranteed security receipts. The government guarantee will be invoked if there is loss against the threshold value.

    “For the SRs to hold on and to have their value intact, there is a need for government to give the backstop arrangement and that’s why Rs 30,600 crore has been cleared by the Cabinet yesterday,” she said. This sovereign guarantee would be for a period of 5 years and the NARCL would have to pay a fee for this. “The SRs are getting the backstop through government funding only in as much as to pay the gap between the realised value (resolution/liquidation) and face value of the SRs and this will hold good for five years,” Sitharaman said.

    The fee for the guarantee will be initially 0.25 per cent, which will progressively increase to 0.5 per cent in case of delay in resolution of bad loans, Financial Services Secretary Debasish Panda said.

    This will enable speedy disposal of stressed assets and clean up balancesheets of banks for further lending, he explained.

    The Finance Minister further said public sector banks (PSBs) would hold 51 per cent stake in the NARCL and 49 per cent in the proposed debt management company — India Debt Resolution Company Ltd.

    There would be 16 shareholders for NARCL, including PSBs, private sector banks and NBFCs.

    The structure will assist in consolidation of debt, currently fragmented across various lenders, thus leading to faster, single point decision-making, she said.

    “It will incentivise quicker action on resolving stressed assets thereby helping in better value realisation. India Debt Resolution Company Limited (IDRCL) will engage market expertise for value enhancement. This approach will also permit freeing up of personnel in banks to focus on increasing business and credit growth,” she said.

    In the first phase, Panda said, banks have identified stress loans of about Rs 90,000 crore to be resolved.

    The NARCL is intended to resolve stressed loan assets above Rs 500 crore each amounting to about Rs 2 lakh crore.

                                                                                                                Source: PTI

  • Sensex breaches 59,000-mark for first time

    Market benchmark Sensex scaled the 59,000-mark for the first time on Thursday, Sept 16,  as investors remained in risk-on mode following the government’s policy support measures for various sectors.

    Advancing for the third consecutive session, the BSE index climbed 417.96 points to its new closing peak of 59,141.16. It touched an intra-day record of 59,204.29. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty surged 110.05 points to finish at its fresh lifetime high of 17,629.50. During the session, it scaled an all-time high of 17,644.60.

  • UN pegs 7.2% growth for India in current year

    India is expected to grow at 7.2% in 2021 but economic growth could decelerate next year, according to a United Nations report which said the recovery in the country is constrained by the ongoing human and economic cost of the Covid pandemic and the negative impact of food price inflation on private consumption. The UNCTAD Trade and Development Report 2021, released here on Wednesday, sounded a cautiously optimistic note to say that the global economy is set for a strong recovery in 2021, albeit with a good deal of uncertainty clouding the details at the regional and country levels over the second half of the year.

  • Big-bang reforms in telecom sector: 4-year loan moratorium, 100% FDI

    The Centre on September 15 approved the much-awaited relief package for the stressed telecom sector that includes a four-year moratorium on payment of dues by telecom companies and allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) under the automatic route. Announcing the decisions cleared at a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Information Technology and Communication Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The reforms are deep and broad… structural… will bring in change today, tomorrow and in the future. I do not like to put a number on the package as it is revenue-neutral for the government.” He went on to add that the moratorium would not impact the government’s revenue. Incidentally, the government announced the package six weeks after Kumar Mangalam Birla resigned from the post of chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited, which was created following the merger of British telecom giant Vodafone’s India unit and Birla’s Idea Cellular Ltd.

  • Apple introduces iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini

    Apple introduces iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA (TIP):  Apple on September 14 introduced iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, the next generation of the world’s best smartphone, featuring a beautiful design with sleek flat edges in five gorgeous new colors. Both models feature major innovations, including the most advanced dual-camera system ever on iPhone — with a new Wide camera with bigger pixels and sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) offering improvements in low-light photos and videos, a new way to personalize the camera with Photographic Styles, and Cinematic mode, which brings a new dimension to video storytelling. iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini also boast super-fast performance and power efficiency with A15 Bionic, longer battery life, a brighter Super Retina XDR display that brings content to life, incredible durability with the Ceramic Shield front cover, double the entry-level storage at 128GB, an industry-leading IP68 rating for water resistance, and an advanced 5G experience.

    iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini will be available in pink, blue, midnight, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED,1 with pre-orders beginning Friday, September 17, and availability beginning Friday, September 24.

    “Our customers rely on iPhone every day, which is why we’ve made iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini more powerful, more capable, and more fun to use,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Both phones have beautiful designs, industry-leading performance, and advanced camera systems with impressive computational photography features, all with incredible durability, water resistance, and a big jump in battery life to ensure customers can depend on their iPhone when they need it. All of this, tightly integrated with iOS 15 and with privacy built in, make iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini an unbeatable choice.”

    Beautiful and Durable Design with Amazing Battery Life

    iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have been redesigned on the inside and out, and come in five gorgeous colors featuring a durable flat-edge design and an elegant aluminum frame. The 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch displays2 feature Ceramic Shield on the front, exclusive to iPhone and tougher than any smartphone glass. Both models have an industry-leading IP68 rating for water resistance,3 and are designed to protect against spills from common liquids. A redesigned rear camera layout with diagonally arranged lenses enables the advanced dual-camera system, and a redesigned TrueDepth camera system is smaller while still packing in the same breakthrough technologies, including Face ID, the most secure facial authentication in a smartphone, but offering more display area.

    How to update Apple devices to correct security flaw

    Apple has released a critical software patch to fix a security vulnerability that researchers say could allow hackers to directly infect iPhones and other Apple devices without any involvement of the owner.

    Here’s how to update your Apple devices:

    iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

    –     Plug in your device and make sure you’re connected to the Internet.

    –   Go to Settings General, then tap Software Update.

    –   Tap ”Install Now.” If you see ”Download and Install” instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, then tap ”Install Now.”

    Apple Watch

    –  First, make sure that your Apple Watch is compatible with the latest software: watchOS 7 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 3 and later and Apple Watch SE. Upgrading to watchOS 7 requires an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14 or later.

    Next steps:

    –   Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.

    –   Make sure that your Apple Watch is at least 50 percent charged.

    –  Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.

    –    Keep your iPhone next to your Apple Watch, so that they’re in range.

    It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to complete. You might want to update overnight or wait until you have time.

  • Researchers create chameleon-like artificial ‘skin’

    South Korean researchers have claimed that they have developed an artificial skin-like material that can quickly adjust its colours like a chameleon to match its surroundings. The team created the “skin” with a special ink that changes colour based on temperature and is controlled by tiny, flexible heaters. “Combined with the active control system and sensing units, the complete device chameleon model successfully retrieves the local background colour and matches its surface colour instantaneously with natural transition characteristics to be a competent option for a next-generation artificial camouflage,” the researcher said in the journal Nature Communications.

    “If you wear woodland camouflage uniforms in the desert, you can be easily exposed. Changing colours and patterns actively in accordance with surroundings is key to the camouflage technology that we created,” Ko Seung-hwan, a mechanical engineering professor at Seoul National University who led the team, told Reuters.

    Ko and the team demonstrated the technology – thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) ink and vertically stacked multilayer silver nanowire heaters – using a chameleon robot with colour-detecting sensors. The skin tried to mimic whatever colours the sensors “saw” around it.

  • Ajay Devgn recreates his Phool Aur Kaante split

    Ajay Devgn recreates his Phool Aur Kaante split

    Bollywood star Ajay Devgn is returning with the stunt that he performed 30 years ago in Phool Aur Kaante and looks like the actor has some surprises up his sleeve as he returns with his formidable ‘split’ that launched him into stardom. In a video shared on Instagram, Ajay shared a short promo with a caption that read, “This reminded me of the split that I did 30 years back! Bringing to you, double the guarantee of entertainment and value. Stay tuned to know more.” Ajay Devgn has a lot of projects in the pipeline at the moment. He is looking forward to the release of Maidaan, directed by Amit Sharma of Badhaai Ho fame. He will also be seen in SS Rajamouli’s RRR and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. He also has a cameo appearance in Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi.

  • Pakistan terrorist gets 7 yrs of rigorous imprisonment for conspiring to carry out attacks in India

    islamabad (TIP): A special NIA court here on september 17 sentenced a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant from Pakistan to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for conspiring to carry out terror attacks at different locations in India on the directions of his handlers from across the border.

    Mohammad Amir of Karachi was sentenced under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Foreigners Act, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, an official of the premier investigating agency said.

    Amir along with three others had infiltrated into India from Pakistan with weapons, ammunition and other war-like stores with an intention to carry out terror attacks at different locations Of India on the directions of their handlers based across the border, the NIA official said.

    He was arrested in November 2017 from Magam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Handwara, while his three associates were killed in an encounter with security forces the same month, the official said. The NIA filed a charge sheet against Amir in May 2018.

    After consideration of evidence brought on record during the probe by the National Investigation Agency, the NIA special court, Patiala House, convicted Amir on April 6.

    Pronouncing the quantum of punishment on Friday, Amir was awarded sentences for seven different offences each ranging from two to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fine, the NIA official added. — PTI

  • Sri Lankan prisons minister resigns after threatening to kill Tamil prisoners

    Sri Lankan prisons minister resigns after threatening to kill Tamil prisoners

    Colombo (TIP):  Sri Lankan prisons minister Lohan Ratwatte resigned on september 15 after an uproar over his alleged remarks to kill Tamil prisoners during his recent visit to a jail in the island nation’s north-central region.

    Ratwatte, the Minister of State for Prisons Management, tendered his resignation after outrage from the Tamil political parties, which sought his exit from the Cabinet and arrest over the remarks.

    President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has accepted Ratwatte’s resignation, presidential spokesman Kingsley Ratnayake said.

    Ratwatte went to the Anuradhapura prison in the country’s northern central region on September 12 and allegedly forced two prisoners to kneel and threatened to kill them, according to reports.

    His act prompted the Tamil parties to condemn his behaviour and call for his resignation.

    “We call on the government to immediately remove the state minister for prison management and have him arrested and charged after an immediate inquiry for allegedly threatening to kill prisoners in Anuradhapura on Sunday, September 12,” the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) tweeted.

    Galen Ponnambalam, the leader of the Tamil National People’s Front, also tweeted and confirmed the incident.

    “The TNPF can confirm that on the evening of  September, 12 the state minister for prisons had gone to the Anuradhapura prisons, summoned the Tamil political prisoners and had got two of them to kneel in front of him,” he said in a tweet.

    Ponnambalam said the minister had threatened to kill Tamil prisoners.

    The local media reports alleged that the minister had visited the main prison in Colombo to show the gallows to a group of his friends late at night before heading to the north-central town of Anuradhapura.

    He was carrying his personal weapon into the prison, which the prison officials said was an illegal act.

    The minister’s office has denied any such incident involving him.

    The incident and act of the minister has also been condemned by the United Nations.

    The UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, said that it is the duty of the State to protect the rights of prisoners, the Colombo Gazette reported.

    “In our work on prison reform and drug rehabilitation, UN Sri Lanka works to strengthen capacities to uphold the rights of all those in custody and condemns any ill treatment of prisoners,” Hanaa Singer-Hamdy tweeted on Wednesday. — PTI

  • Afghan Deputy PM Mullah Baradar releases video after death rumours

    Afghan Deputy PM Mullah Baradar releases video after death rumours

    kabul (TIP): Under intense pressure and questions over his whereabouts, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has now released a video message.

    “There had been news in the media about my health and death. Over the past few nights, I have been away on trips. Wherever I am at the moment, we are all fine, all my brothers and friends,” Baradar said in the clip, ARY News reported. “The media always publish fake propaganda. Therefore, bravely reject all those lies, and I’m 100 per cent confirm to you there is no issue in the ranks of the Taliban and we have no problem.”  On the recent visit of Qatari Foreign Minister where he was absent, Baradar said he was unable to meet the visiting Qatari visiting dignitary as he was on a trip.

    “Got information of the Qatari Foreign Minister visit to Afghanistan suddenly,” he added, the report said.

    Speculation intensified about the fate of Baradar when Taliban leaders met with senior delegates from Qatar in Kabul on Sunday, with him conspicuously absent from the meeting, Daily Mail reported earlier.

    On September 13, Taliban was forced to deny that Baradar was dead after rumours emerged that he was killed during a gunfight with his political rivals.

    The Taliban insisted that Baradar is in Kandahar province meeting with the group’s supreme leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada to discuss the country’s future now the US has withdrawn.

    But the social media rumour mill believes he was actually killed in a gun battle in Kabul’s presidential palace that broke out during a meeting with the powerful and ruthless Haqqani family, the report said.

    Three members of the Haqqani family were at the summit with Qatar delegates along with other members of the new Afghan government—led by Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund, the report said.

    A major row broke out between leaders of the Taliban over the make-up of the group’s new government in Afghanistan last week, the BBC reported.

    The argument between Baradar and a cabinet member happened at the presidential palace, the report said.

    There have been unconfirmed reports of disagreements within the Taliban’s leadership since Baradar disappeared from public view in recent days.

    One Taliban source told BBC Pashto that Baradar and Khalil ur-Rahman Haqqani, the minister for refugees and a prominent figure within the militant Haqqani network, had exchanged strong words, as their followers brawled with each other nearby. The Taliban sources told the BBC that Baradar had left Kabul and travelled to the city of Kandahar following the row.

    — IANS

  • Pakistan court issues arrest warrants of ‘Hindi Medium’ star Saba Qamar

    Lahore (TIP): A local court in Pakistan on Wednesday issued arrest warrants of ‘Hindi Medium’ star Saba Qamar in a case registered against her and others for shooting a ‘dance video’ at a historical mosque in Lahore.

    Lahore’s magisterial court issued the bailable warrants for Qamar and singer Bilal Saeed for constantly avoiding the court hearings. The court adjourned the hearing till October 6.

    Lahore police last year registered a case against Qamar and Saeed under section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code for alleged ‘desecration’ of Masjid Wazir Khan in the old city of Lahore.

    According to the FIR, both actors had trampled upon the sanctity of the mosque by shooting a dance video and this act also sparked an outrage among the people of Pakistan. The Punjab government had also sacked two senior officers in connection with violation of the mosque’s sanctity. PTI

  • Prince Philip’s Will to be secret for 90 years: Court

    Prince Philip’s Will to be secret for 90 years: Court

    London (TIP): The will of Prince Philip, the late husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, will be sealed and remain private for at least 90 years to preserve the monarch’s dignity, a judge at London’s High Court has ruled.

    Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who had been married to the 95-year-old British monarch for more than seven decades, died at the age of 99 at his wife’s Windsor Castle home to the west of London on April 9.

    In keeping with a convention dating back to 1910, Andrew McFarlane, the president of the court’s Family Division, said he had agreed Philip’s will should be sealed up “and that no copy of the will should be made for the record or kept on the court file”.

    He also ruled in favour of the request “to exclude the value of the estate from the grant of probate”.

    “The degree of publicity that publication would be likely to attract would be very extensive and wholly contrary to the aim of maintaining the dignity of the Sovereign,” McFarlane said in a ruling published on Thursday.

    He said the convention was that following the death of a senior royal, an application to seal the will was made to the Family Division president, with such hearings and judgments kept private.

    However, he said “as is plain from this judgment” he considered it was a “necessary and proportionate intrusion into the private affairs of Her Majesty and the Royal Family to make public the fact that an application to seal the will of HRH The Prince Philip … has been made and granted in private, and to explain the underlying reasons”.

    The judge said 90 years should pass from the granting of probate before the will should be unsealed in private before possible publication, a period he said was “proportionate and sufficient”.

    He said the first royal whose will was sealed was Prince Francis of Teck, who was the younger brother of George V’s wife Queen Mary. He said he was the custodian of a safe containing more than 30 envelopes with the wills of dead royals.

    The most recent additions were made in 2002 following the deaths of Queen Elizabeth’s mother, Elizabeth, and her sister Princess Margaret, he said. Reuters

  • Ozone hole over Antarctica larger than usual, scientists say

    Berlin (TIP): Scientists say the hole in the Earth’s protective ozone layer over the Southern Hemisphere is larger than usual this year and already surpasses the size of Antarctica.

    The European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service said Thursday that the so-called ozone hole, which appears every year during the Southern Hemisphere spring, has grown considerably in the past week following an average start.

    “Forecasts show that this year´s hole has evolved into a rather larger than usual one,” said Vincent-Henri Peuch, who heads the EU’s satellite monitoring service.

    “We are looking at a quite big and potentially also deep ozone hole,” he said. Atmospheric ozone absorbs ultraviolet light coming from the sun. Its absence means more of this high-energy radiation reaches the Earth, where it can harm living cells.

    Peuch noted that last year’s ozone hole also started out unremarkably but then turned into one of the longest-lasting ones on record.

    The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, led to a ban on a group of chemicals called halocarbons that were blamed for exacerbating the annual ozone hole. AP

  • Another Australian state legalises voluntary euthanasia

    Another Australian state legalises voluntary euthanasia

    Brisbane (TIP): Voluntary euthanasia became legal in a fifth Australian state on September 16, more than 20 years after the country repealed the world’s first mercy killing law for the terminally ill.

    Queensland’s Parliament passed the law with 61 of the state’s 93 lawmakers voting in favor.

    New South Wales, the nation’s most populous state, is now the only state that doesn’t allow assisted suicide.

    The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory do not have the same rights as states and the Federal Parliament has barred them from making such laws.

    Queensland’s law, which takes effect in January 2023, allows people suffering from a disease or medical condition that is advanced, progressive and terminal to have access to so-called voluntary assisted dying.

    Their condition must be expected to cause death within a year, they must have decision-making capacity, and proceed without coercion.

    Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the law would ease pain and suffering.

    “It has been a very considered debate and … it’s been a very difficult debate,” Miles told Parliament.

    Opponents argued that due to a funding shortfall for palliative care, the law would put pressure on some patients to end their lives.

    “Will this government provide a guarantee that people will get access to quality integrated palliative care services wherever they live in Queensland, when they have a terminal diagnosis, and not just in the last few months of life?” opposition lawmaker Fiona Simpson said.

    But Miles said palliative care and voluntary assisted dying are complementary policies which give more options to terminally ill people.

    The sparsely populated Northern Territory in 1995 became the first jurisdiction in the world to legalize doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. But the Australian Parliament overturned that law in 1997 after four people had been helped to die.

    The Federal Parliament does not have the same power over the six states, and Victoria became the first to legalise assisted suicide in June 2019.

    New South Wales’ Parliament rejected a doctor-assisted suicide bill by a single vote two weeks before the Victorian law was passed. AP

  • British woman files appeal against Cyprus ‘fake rape’ conviction

    British woman files appeal against Cyprus ‘fake rape’ conviction

    Nicosia (TIP): A British woman convicted for falsely claiming gang rape in Cyprus has filed an appeal to the island’s Supreme Court, seeking to clear her name.

    The woman received a suspended four-month prison sentence in January 2020 in a case which sparked concern from Britain and activists about her treatment by Cyprus authorities.

    Lawyers for the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and prosecutors presented their arguments before a three-bench Supreme Court in the capital Nicosia on September 17.

    The court is expected to issue a ruling within six months. The woman, then aged 19, filed a complaint in July 2019 that she had been raped by a group of Israeli youths in the holiday resort of Ayia Napa. Days later the complaint was withdrawn, leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction for public mischief.

    She maintains she withdrew her complaint under duress after hours of police questioning and without a lawyer present.

    “The case is a seminal one for the protection of human rights in Cyprus, as well as the treatment of those who report sexual offences,” said Michael Polack, director of the UK-based Justice Abroad advocacy group assisting a local defence team.

    Twelve Israeli youths were detained for questioning but swiftly released after the woman withdrew her accusation.

    They were not required to give any evidence at the woman’s trial because the case focussed on whether the woman had misled authorities and given a false statement, rather than the alleged rape itself.

    The British government later said it had “numerous concerns” about the judicial process and the woman’s right to a fair trial. The woman was not present at Thursday’s process. — Reuters

  • New Zealand says Australia’s new nuclear submarines must stay out of its waters

    Wellington (TIP): New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Septemebr 16 that Australia’s new nuclear-powered submarines would not be allowed in its territorial waters under a long -tanding nuclear-free policy.

    A new Indo-Pacific security partnership announced by US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, will see the United States and Britain provide Australia with the technology and capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.

    The Indo-Pacific deal is widely seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in the region.

    “I discussed the arrangement with Prime Minister Morrison last night,” Ardern said at a news conference.

    “I am pleased to see that the eye has been turned to our region from partners we work closely with. It’s a contested region and there is a role that others can play in taking an interest in our region. But the lens we will look at this from will include stability,” she said.

    However, Ardern said the nuclear-powered submarines would not be allowed in New Zealand waters under a 1984 nuclear-free zone policy.

    “Certainly they couldn’t come into our internal waters.

    “No vessels that are partially or fully powered by nuclear energy are able to enter our internal borders,” she said.

    Ardern said the new Indo-Pacific grouping does not change the security and intelligence ties of New Zealand, which is a member of the Five Eyes, a post-war intelligence grouping that also includes the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada.

    “This is not a treaty level arrangement. It does not change our existing relationship including Five Eyes or our close partnership with Australia on defence matters,” she said.

    Ardern, who is in her second term in office, has looked to focus on a more independent foreign policy that is not loyal to any major bloc.

    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has said she was uncomfortable with expanding the role of the Five Eyes, drawing criticism from Western allies who said New Zealand was reluctant to criticise China due to its trade ties.

    China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner. Reuters

  • Virgin beaches of India you still need to explore

    Virgin beaches of India you still need to explore

    India has a long coast line, yet we fail to think of amazing beach destinations that we can go anytime. There are so many hidden, unexplored beaches in India that we never talk about. Every time someone thinks of a beach holiday, the most popular beach destination that comes to the mind is Goa, right? But how about trying a few unknown beaches for a change when you plan your next holiday trip to a beach?

    India is a vast country surrounded by water on two of its sides, it has a vast potential when it comes to beach holidays. The island states of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar provide breath-taking holiday options for you and your family or even when you decide to travel solo! Here’s a list of some virgin beaches which can be found in India:

    Bekal Beach, Kerala

    God’s Own Country, Kerala is truly a heavenly place for nature lovers. When one does visit the Bekal Beach, it is evident why Kerala has been given that title. This beach is beautifully placed adjacent to a giant keyhole shaped Bekal Fort, which also serves as an observation tower for visitors. Located in the Kasargod region in Kerala, Bekal beach is the perfect place for a quick holiday over the weekend, solely dedicated to the sea, sand and sun!

    Serenity Beach, Pondicherry

    Doesn’t the name of this beach do half of the trick? A walk along the coast on the Serenity beach will help you relax amidst the white sands and the turquoise water. A lazy day spent at the beach, just sun-bathing and reading a novel at your own pace is what makes this beach the most leisurely among the rest. Located at just a 10 minutes’ drive from the city, Serenity beach is lined by a row of palm trees and offers an amazing view of the charming Bay of Bengal.

    Radhanagar Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    Famed as “Asia’s Best Beach” by Time Magazine, Radhanagar beach is definitely a sight to remember. Known for its untouched beauty, this beach will captivate you with its alluring charm.  The lazy, blue waves and the white sands will definitely make you fall for them. Situated just 12 kms from the Havelock ferry pier, this beach is undoubtedly one of God’s meticulous creations!

    Lighthouse Beach, Kerala

    Even though Kovalam remains one of the most popular tourist spots in Kerala, the Lighthouse beach has remained untouched (thankfully) by most of the crowd. Extremely picturesque in its setting, the Lighthouse beach is the ideal retreat for wanderers as it overlooks the other two beaches in Kovalam- Hawah and Samudra.  Bordered by coconut groves and an ancient lighthouse, from which the beach gets its name, this beach in Kerala is truly a gift of nature.

    Nirvana Beach, Karnataka

    Located 30 kms away from the temple town of Gokarna, Karnataka in a place called Kumta, Nirvana beach is unlike all the other beaches to be found on the stretch of Gokarna. A virgin beach in its purest sense, chances are that you could be the only person on Nirvana if and when you visit it! A sunset along this beach is something to die for and the peaceful surroundings make it a much needed break from the humdrum of the cities. The name Nirvana is very apt when it comes to what this beach stands for.

    Elephant Beach, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    A playground for marine life and water lovers, Elephant beach is one of the virgin beaches in the Andaman that we’re grateful for. Going to this beach is no less than a dream sequence as the turquoise blue water rolls in front of you in ever changing shades, the white sands feel ticklish beneath your feet and the air around you is just so refreshing! With astounding coral reefs, it is a treat for swimmers and for underwater diving. Make sure to have Elephant beach on your “to-visit” list for sure!

    Mandvi, Kutch

    This is a truly unique beach as there are windmills lining its stretch which makes it a beautiful sight.  A host to white, breath-taking beaches and relaxing water, perfect for swimming, Mandvi beach still remains a virgin beach. It used to be a ship-building hub in the earlier times but has now been transformed into a haven for the tourists who do eventually turn in.

    Yarada Beach, Andhra Pradesh

    It is a definite escape from the crowded cities and the noise. A true artwork of nature, Yarada beach in Vishakhapatnam offers an uninterrupted view of the coastline. Surrounded by hills on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on one side, Yarada beach is like none of the rest. Just 15 kms away from Vishakhapatnam, Yarada has dodged commercialization till now continues to remain in its pristine form.

    Agatti Beach, Lakshadweep

    The land of innumerable beaches, Lakshadweep, is the perfect place to find nature’s hidden gems. The Agatti beach is a stunning virgin beach known for its scenic beauty among the other 36 coral islands.  A Perfect holiday escape is in stores for the ones who choose this beach over the rest for their time out from the hustling city life.

    St. Mary’s Beach, Karnataka

    6 kms boat ride away from the pilgrimage town on Udupi, Karnataka, lies the virgin beach of St. Mary’s.  Known for its amazing besalt rock formations with vertical blocks lining up on the beachfront, it remains unexplored for most of its parts.  Besides, the charm of the Arabian Sea is always present to surround the beach with it. Red crabs, coconut trees and rare shells lying along the coast provide a unique experience, very different from any other beach. St. Mary’s virgin beauty can behold its visitors with a peculiar ease.

  • Salman Khan’s niece Alizeh Agnihotri stuns in ad, fans shower love

    Salman Khan’s niece Alizeh Agnihotri stuns in ad, fans shower love

    Alizeh Agnihotri, the niece of actor Salman Khan, featured in an ad for a jewellery brand. She is the daughter of his sister Alvira Khan and producer Atul Agnihotri. She is expected to make her Bollywood debut soon.

    In the video, shared on Instagram by the jewellery brand, Alizeh flaunted her bracelet, hand thong, necklace and rings, as she struck numerous poses. She wore a green bralette with white pants.

    Fans flocked to the comments section to shower Alizeh with compliments. “Stunning!!! @alizehagnihotri,” one wrote, while another called her ‘the most innocent beauty’ ever. Many also dropped heart-eyes emojis on the post.

    The caption of the Instagram post was a statement from Alizeh about her relationship with jewellery. She revealed that she never got her ears pierced. “A lot of people find it strange, because wearing earrings comes so naturally to most people, but somehow I haven’t had the desire,” she said.

    Alizeh talked about how there was a time when she wore no jewellery at all but now, she picks out her accessories before even choosing her outfit. “Jewellery to me is about finding new ways to express myself, and I’ve always leaned towards doing that with rings, necklaces, anklets and even body chains,” she said.

  • Britney Spears announces engagement to boyfriend Sam Asghari

    Britney Spears announces engagement to boyfriend Sam Asghari

    Pop superstar Britney Spears, who has been fighting a conservatorship that governs her personal life and finances, announced on Sunday that she is engaged to longtime boyfriend Sam Asghari.

    The ‘Stronger’ singer posted a video of herself standing next to Asghari and showing off a shiny ring on her hand. “I can’t f***ing believe it,” she said in the caption, next to ring emojis.

    Asghari separately posted a photo of the pair kissing and Spears extending the finger with the ring. Asghari’s manager Brandon Cohen confirmed that the pair were engaged.

    “The couple made their long-standing relationship official today and are deeply touched by the support, dedication and love expressed to them,” Cohen said via email.

    Spears, 39, has been married twice before. She wed childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas in 2004, but that marriage was annulled a few days later. Later that year, she married dancer Kevin Federline, with whom she had two children, before the marriage ended in divorce in 2007.

  • James Bond could be a man or woman of any race or age, says Lashana Lynch

    Actor Lashana Lynch, who will next be seen in the upcoming James Bond film No Time To Die, has denied speculation that she could take over the franchise as the lead in future installments.

    “Nooo! You don’t want me!” she told The Guardian in an interview. The 33-year-old actor said the next Bond can be anyone: a man or woman, a young or old person, from any race. “We are in a place in time where the industry is not just giving audiences what it thinks the audience wants. They’re actually giving the audience what they want to give the audience.

    “With Bond, it could be a man or woman. They could be white, black, Asian, mixed race. They could be young or old. At the end of the day, even if a two-year-old was playing Bond, everyone would flock to the cinema to see what this two-year-old’s gonna do, no?” the Captain Marvel star said.

  • Three in 5 Indian adults covered with first Covid dose, 20% with both

    Three in 5 Indian adults covered with first Covid dose, 20% with both

    New Delhi (TIP): Three in five Indian adults have been covered with at least one Covid vaccine dose and 20 per cent have received both the doses.

    New government data show Chandigarh entering the coveted league of states and UTs to have protected their adult population with the first Covid dose.

    Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan today said 62 per cent people aged 18 and above had received the Covid shots, and 20 per cent have received both the doses as the pace of vaccination increases.

    As of September 16, 57.86 crore first doses of Covid 19 vaccine have been administered while 18.70 crore people have received both doses.

    “Chandigarh is the new addition to the states and UTs where all adults have received at least one dose,” Bhushan said.

    Commenting on the scale of inoculation the government said that in the first 11 days of September over 11 crore doses have been administered which is double of the doses given through the entire month of May.

    The government also said of the 3,651 Pressure Swing Absorption Plants for medical oxygen generation which have been sanctioned, 1,595 have been commissioned so far.

    This comes to 43.6 pc — less than half the sanctioned plants.

    The government said of the total 3,651 PSA plants sanctioned with 4,751 MT capacity generation when commissioned, 1,491 plants with 2,281 MT have been commissioned with central support and 2,140 with 2,289 MT capacity with the states and other sources (states, urban local bodies, MPLAD, CSR etc) support.

    “Of the 1,595 PSA plants commissioned so far with 2,088 MT medical oxygen generation, 731 (with 1024 MT) PSA plants commissioned are with central resources and 862 plants (1,065 MT capacity) with state and other resources.

    The government today asked states to prepare ahead for any potential COVID surge noting that right now the situation is stable with cases reducing even in Kerala but the months of October and November would be critical given the festive season.

    “The next quarter will be critical. We advise states and municipal corporations to prepare ahead to ensure best models of home care and also to prepare infrastructure,” Member Health NITI Aayog VK Paul said.

    ICMR chief Balram Bhargava suggested four measures to control Covid — rapid vaccination, Covid appropriate behaviour, responsible travel if necessary and responsible festivities.

    India saw 30,570 new cases in the last 24 hours, 68 pc of them from Kerala.

    As of today 34 districts have over 10 pc positivity and 32 have a positivity rate between 5 to 10 pc.

    Overall national positivity rate has been below 3 pc for eleven weeks but 64 districts of concern remain an issue.

    Source: TNS