Ban on Russian uranium helps US build nuclear fuel capacity, official says

Ban on Russian uranium helps US build nuclear fuel capacity, official says The U.S. has been preparing since 2022 for the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin would stop selling it nuclear power fuel, and a pending ban on Russian imports will help boost domestic capacity to process uranium fuel, the outgoing top nuclear energy official told Reuters. The U.S. Senate passed legislation on Tuesday that bans the imports from Russia, the latest move by Washington to disrupt Putin's ability to pay for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. The ban, which is expected to be signed by President Joe Biden, starts 90 days after enactment, although it allows the Department of Energy to issue waivers in case of supply concerns. The move has led to fears that Putin could retaliate by freezing exports to the U.S. boosting uranium prices. Russia supplied about 24% of the uranium used by reactors in the U.S. in 2022, and was its top foreign supplier. But Kathryn Huff, the DOE's assistant secretary for nuclear, who steps down on Friday, told Reuters the U.S. is prepared for any scenario. The reality is this: over the last few years there has been a very real and present possibility that Russia could stop abruptly sending enriched uranium to the United States. Countries including Canada, France and Japan will help the U.S. deal with an allied alternative to Russian uranium, Huff said. And the imports ban would unlock $2.7 billion from previous legislation for building out the domestic uranium industry. A paired structure in which we invest in new conversion and enrichment capacity and then protect those investments with some import restrictions is what's required, to cut dependence on Russia, said Huff, who will return to university teaching and nuclear research. Nuclear plants only refuel about every two years and contracts are worked out years in advance. Huff said the U.S. has just about enough time or about three or four years, to stand up new uranium conversion and enrichment capacity and replace Russian imports. In the U.S., the Vogtle nuclear plant in the state of Georgia, opened this week after years of delay. But no new construction is on the books, leading to concern the U.S. will not be able to meet Biden's 2050 goal of decarbonizing the economy. Huff expects the next plant to come on line will be Palisades, in Michigan. Holtec, the owner, is trying to reopen a nuclear plant for the first time in U.S. history. Palisades shut in 2022, 10 days early due to a problem with a control rod. Opponents of reopening Palisades, which opened in 1971, say the reactor vessel is vulnerable to cracking, a situation called embrittlement. Holtec, which got a $1.5 billion DOE loan in March, will have to refurbish the plant to get approval from U.S. regulators, Huff said. I fully expect it will operate better than it was operating before once they complete those refurbishments. Holtec spokesperson Patrick O'Brien said Palisades, which still needs reauthorization, will undergo thorough inspections before any restart.

Klopp Refutes Dispute with Salah After Touchline Exchange

Klopp Refutes Dispute with Salah After Touchline Exchange Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted Friday his spat with Mohamed Salah has been completely resolved,'' saying his long history with the star forward ensured there was no lasting damage to their relationship. Klopp and Salah were involved in a touchline confrontation during the 2-2 draw at West Ham on Saturday. When Salah was asked after the game to comment on the incident, the Egypt international was heard saying: There's going to be a fire today if I speak. Nearly a week later, Klopp said the matter was a non-story. There's no problem, said Klopp, who was speaking ahead of Liverpool's home match with Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. If we wouldn't know each other for that long, I don't know how we would deal with it but we know each other for that long and respect each other too much that it's really no problem. The incident happened as Salah was preparing to come on as a substitute, having been selected on the bench for the second time in three games. In general, the best situation would be everybody is in the best possible place, we win games, we score lots of goals. Yes, then the situation (with Salah) would probably not have been exactly like that, Klopp said. Then Mo wouldn't have been on the bench in the first place. Klopp, who is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after nearly nine years in charge, was asked if the 31-year-old Salah should be part of the new manager's plans. Salah, a Liverpool player since 2017, has been linked with a move to the Saudi league. I've said before, what a player he is. That he's incredible, Klopp said. ''But I don't think I should speak about that, to be honest. Other people will decide that, especially Mo. I don't have any signs it will not be like that. But I'm really the wrong person already for a few weeks to talk about these kind of things.

FIDE Candidates winner D Gukesh meets Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

NEW DELHI: Indian chess star D Gukesh, who won the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Candidates title in April, met Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur at his residence on Thursday. The 17-year-old Indian in April created history as he won the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2024, becoming the youngest-ever challenger to the world title held by Ding Liren after an exciting final round in Toronto. Gukesh was felicitated with a traditional Himachali cap, shawl and a memento by the minister. Both Gukesh and the minister talked about the game, and the experience during the tournament. The Union Minister wished him luck in future competitions. In Round 14 of the FIDE Candidates, Gukesh used black pieces to hold rival championship contender Hikaru Nakamura to a draw and secure his victory. Earlier, speaking to ANI, Gukesh said he is now aiming to shine at the World Championships. My next goal is to make it big at the World Championship. I am just planning to do my absolute best and try to do the right things. And be in the ideal shape required to play good chess. And I hope things will go my way, Gukesh said. Gukesh expressed that he wanted to challenge the current champion Ding Liren, saying it has always been his aim to win the crown. I haven't thought about the preparations yet; I did not get much time to. I will soon start thinking about the match. I try to do as well as I can and give my absolute best everywhere possible. I am eager to start preparing for the final. Going there and giving my best, he added. Gukesh became only the second Indian player to win the Candidates Tournament, after Viswanathan Anand. Five-time world champion Anand's victory came in 2014.

Industry, tech collaboration key to UAEs growth goals

Dr. Al Jaber conveyed the UAE leaderships greetings and its commitment to strengthening the GCCs relations in investment as well as partnerships in vital sectorsreports Asian Lite News UAE Minister... The post Industry, tech collaboration key to UAEs growth goals first appeared on Asian Lite USA .

Swell Surge Warning to Kerala, South Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Hyderabad: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) on Friday that there was a possibility of swell surges and rough sea conditions associated with the effect of high period swell waves that are approaching from distant southern Indian Ocean. Swell surges started at approximately 10,000 km away from Indian coast on April 26, 2024 in the southern Atlantic Ocean (15E and 60S) and slowly moved towards southern Indian Ocean (~35-55E; 60-50S) around April 28 2024. This caused the high energy swell propagation (~24 s) towards the Indian coastal regions which is expected to hit southern tip of India in the early hours 2.30 a.m. of May 4, 2024. These long period swells combined with high tide conditions can cause coastal flooding in the low-lying areas of Lakshadweep, Kerala, South Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha and West Bengal coasts during May 4 and 5, 2024. The low-lying coastal areas are particularly vulnerable. The INCOIS is presently monitoring the situation and the updates will appear on its website. The public is advised to check INCOIS website at www.incois.gov.in/portal/osf/osf.jsp for further information and updates on the event. Fishermen and coastal population are alerted to be cautious on possible surging of waves (gushing of sea water) intermittently in the nearshore or beach region, particularly in the low-lying areas. Small vessels not to ply nearshore. Boats may be anchored at a fair distance from each other, to avoid collision and damage. Total suspension of operational/recreational activities at beach/nearshore regions during 4-5, May 2024 INCOIS is continuously engaged in providing ocean information, warnings, advisories, and ocean state forecasts to various stake holders. INCOIS, as part of Ocean State Forecast (OSF) Services, forecasts wave height, direction and period (of both wind waves and swell waves), Sea surface currents, Sea Surface Temperature, etc. INCOIS also provides forecasts on the state of the ocean during extreme weather conditions like cyclones, high wave/swell conditions, etc. based on multi-model operational forecasting system built upon numerical ocean models assimilated with real time data from buoys deployed in the coastal waters as well as in the open ocean, even deep south in the southern Indian Ocean.

Saviynt Accelerates India Expansion with Appointment of Sanjeevi Kumar as Sales Director

Saviynt Accelerates India Expansion with Appointment of Sanjeevi Kumar as Sales Director LOS ANGELES, May 03, 2024 Saviynt, a leading provider of cloud-native identity and governance platform solutions, today announced the appointment of Sanjeevi Kumar as Sales Lead in India to expand Saviynts footprint in the region. This strategic decision further validates Saviynts continued momentum as the Identity Authority and builds on the accelerated growth and record revenues from 2023. Kumars extensive background in sales strategy and market expansion will help lead Saviynt's efforts to capitalize on the existing opportunities within India's dynamic market. This appointment comes at a pivotal time as India sets its sights on becoming the third-largest economy in the world. Saviynt recognizes the immense potential of the Indian market and is committed to playing a significant role in empowering businesses across the region with cutting-edge identity security solutions. ''We are excited to welcome Sanjeevi to the Saviynt family as we embark on this exciting journey of expansion into India,'' said Dan Mountstephen, SVP APAC at Saviynt. ''His proven track record of driving growth and fostering strategic partnerships will be instrumental in establishing Saviynt as the preferred partner for identity security in the region. With our commitment to innovation and the exceptional talent at our Bangalore R&D center, we are well-positioned to support India's ambitious economic goals and contribute to its thriving digital ecosystem.'' Drawing upon Saviynt's global expertise and leveraging the state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) facilities housed within the Bangalore office, Kumar will support Saviynts mission to make identity and entity management a business enabler and an essential security control for Indian enterprises. ''With our commitment to innovation and the exceptional talent at our Bangalore R&D center, we are well-positioned to support India's ambitious economic goals and contribute to its thriving digital ecosystem, said P. Sapna Nair, General Manager, India at Saviynt. Kumar brings more than a decade of experience in sales leadership roles in the technology sector, with a strong focus on delivering value-driven solutions to customers across diverse industries. His deep understanding of the Indian market dynamics, coupled with Saviynt's industry-leading Identity Cloud, will enable organizations to navigate the complexities of cloud security and identity governance with confidence. I'm excited to join Saviynt as Sales Lead for India. In this role, I'm committed to empowering organizations here to achieve robust identity security through Identity Governance, Application Access Governance, Third Party Access Governance, and Privilege Access Governance solutions. India's digital landscape is flourishing, but it also presents new security challenges. Strong identity management is crucial to safeguard sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. I look forward to collaborating with businesses across India to implement effective identity security solutions and build a more trusted digital ecosystem said Kumar. As Saviynt's Sales Lead for the India region, Kumar will be responsible for driving revenue growth, cultivating strategic partnerships, and strengthening Saviynt's presence across key industry verticals in India. About Saviynt Saviynt empowers enterprises to secure their digital transformation, safeguard critical assets, and meet regulatory compliance. With a vision to provide a secure and compliant future for all enterprises, Saviynts cutting-edge solutions have been recognized as industry leaders. For more information, please visit www.saviynt.com. (Disclaimer : The above Press Release is provided by HT Syndication and PTI will not take any editorial responsibility of this content.).

Premier League title race, Championship finale, WSL and more: football news live

Premier League table | Sign up for Football Daily here Want to share your thoughts? Send Barry an email Womens Super League: Following a tired Chelsea sides defeat at the hands of Liverpool in a seven-goal whiteknuckle ride at Prenton Park on Wednesday night, Emma Hayes conceded defeat in the title race to Manchester City. The Chelsea manager looks likely to end her 12-year reign at the club without winning a trophy in her final season, a prosepect that seemed unthinkable as recently as five weeks ago when a quadruple was still on the cards. All hope is not lost in the WSL, however, despite Manchester City having a six point lead and a significantly better goal difference (+8). With three matches still to play, Chelsea have a game in hand over the leaders and host already-relegated Bristol City at the weekend. Elsewhere, City entertain Arsenal. Following their unedifying row in the immediate aftermath of the Continental Cup final, Hayes desperately needs Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall and his players to do her a favour on Sunday. If Chelsea can beat Bristol City by a big score this weekend and Arsenal do a number on City at the Etihad Campus, it would still be all to play for going into the final week of the season. View the Womens Super League table Continue reading...

Here's What 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Schedule: Seven Phases from April 19 to June 1

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are set to unfold in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, with results expected on June 4. The Election Commission has revealed the schedule, highlighting that April 19 will witness the highest number of constituencies, totaling 102, while the fifth phase, on May 20, will see the lowest number at just 49. Here's a breakdown of the election phases across different states: Single Poll Date (22 states): Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. Two-phase Voting (4 states): Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tripura, Manipur Three-phase Voting (2 states): Chhattisgarh, Assam Four-phase Voting (3 states): Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand Five-phase Voting (2 states): Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir Seven-phase Voting (3 states): Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal The Lok Sabha Election 2024 schedule is as follows: Phase 1 (April 19): 101 Seats Phase 2 (April 26): 89 Seats Phase 3 (May 7): 94 Seats Phase 4 (May 13): 96 Seats Phase 5 (May 20): 49 Seats Phase 6 (May 25): 57 Seats Phase 7 (June 1): 57 Seats Each phase covers various states and Union Territories, ensuring a comprehensive electoral process across the nation. In the first phase on April 19, a total of 102 seats will be contested across several states and Union Territories: Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal West, Arunachal East Assam: Sonitpur, Kaziranga, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur Bihar: Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui Jammu & Kashmir: Udhampur Madhya Pradesh: Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Chhindwara Maharashtra: Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur Manipur: Inner Manipur Meghalaya: Shillong, Tura Mizoram: Mizoram Nagaland: Nagaland Rajasthan: Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, Nagaur Sikkim: Sikkim Tamil Nadu: Thiruvallur, Chennai North, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram, Arakkonam, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Viluppuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Sivaganga, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari Tripura: Tripura West Uttar Pradesh: Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, Pilibhit West Bengal: Cooch Behar, Alipurduars, Jalpaiguri Chhattisgarh: Bastar Uttarakhand: Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Hardwar Andaman & Nicobar: Andaman Nicobar Islands Lakshadweep: Lakshadweep Puducherry: Puducherry These elections aim to engage citizens in the democratic process, allowing them to exercise their right to vote and shape the future of their nation. Congress Announces Candidates for Lok Sabha 2024, Rahul Gandhi to Contest from Rae Bareli Congress KL Sharma to Contest against BJP's Smriti Irani in Amethi Trinamool Congress Accuses Congress Leader of Promoting BJP Agenda

ISL: Chennaiyin FC extend contract of goalkeeper Samik Mitra until 2027

DFCC Bank 68th AGM Concludes Successfully

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of shareholders of DFCC Bank PLC was held on March 28 2024, at the Banks Head Office Auditorium. Shareholders convened to vote on significant matters of business pertinent to the forthcoming fiscal year. Concurrently, the event provided DFCC Bank with a platform to showcase its notable achievements throughout the financial year 2023/24, a record-breaking year for the Bank across multiple metrics, including financial performance and the accomplishment of its sustainability goals. Prioritising sustainability alongside financial strength, DFCC Bank aims to move forward with resilience, creating enduring value for all Sri Lankans.

India, Nepal Strengthen Ties with New Agreement on Public Sector Audit

A recent agreement signed between India and Nepal regarding public sector audit is being seen as a big boost to the relationship between the two countries. Girish C Murmu, India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), showed excitement about the collaboration during his visit to Nepal, emphasizing its potential to deepen cooperation and promote mutual development. According to reports from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, CAG Murmu had productive discussions during his visit, including meetings with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepal's Finance Minister Barshaman Pun, and Nepal's Auditor General Toyama Raya. These discussions centered on the ongoing cooperation between the Supreme Audit Institutions of India and Nepal, highlighting the importance of the new agreement in the realm of public sector audit. In a statement, the Indian Embassy quoted CAG Murmu as saying, The close partnership between the Supreme Audit Institutions of India and Nepal adds yet another dimension to our multi-faceted relationship. The agreement signed during CAG Murmu's visit aims to boost efforts in building capacity and enhancing methodologies related to public sector audits. The signing of the agreement is viewed as a positive step towards strengthening bilateral ties and promoting a spirit of cooperation and mutual growth between India and Nepal. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also emphasized the significance of this agreement in fostering closer ties and advancing common goals of good governance and accountability. India-Maldives Ties: Maldives Foreign Minister's Visit Precedes President Muizzu's Potential Pro-China Trip 200 Members of Sindhi Community from Pakistan to Visit Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya Today

Infectious Advertisings Nisha Singhania & Ramanuj Shastry on creating an ideas company

On April 1st, 2013, amidst the playful spirit of All Fools Day, Infectious Advertising emerged from humble beginnings on top of a garage. For Nisha Singhania , CEO & Managing Partner of Infectious Advertising, and Ramanuj Shastry , Co-Founder and Director at Infectious Advertising, it was more than just launching another ad firm; it was about birthing an 'ideas company' that would tackle clients' deepest concerns while creating campaigns that were truly 'infectious' engaging, shareable, and swiftly spreading across digital realms. From the very start, we wanted to partner with clients to solve the problems that kept them up at night, remarked Nisha Singhania, reflecting on the agency's genesis. But our work had to be more than just effective; it had to be infectious, added Ramanuj Shastry, emphasising their vision for the agency's identity. This year marks the agency's 11th anniversary in the industry. To mark this milestone, we caught up with Singhania and Shastry to capture the agency's journey from its humble beginnings to its current stature. They delve into the agency's origins, growth trajectory, and standout campaigns. Additionally, they provide insights into the agency's future plans, technological innovations leveraging AI, and more. A Digital Evolution Infectious Advertising started as a mainline, traditional agency. But in 2013, with the blooming digital landscape, the founders quickly realised that to remain relevant in the ever-evolving advertising landscape, they needed to embrace digital at their core. We understood that being digital-first was imperative, noted Singhania. Thus, the agency embarked on a journey of transformation, investing in digital expertise, talent, and technology to seamlessly blend digital strategies with traditional branding approaches. This strategic pivot marked a significant milestone for the agency. However, in the initial days, Infectious Advertising struggled with the issue of finding the right talent. [It was] one of our biggest hurdles, shared Shastry. We needed individuals who not only had the skills but also resonated with our culture, he added. While it was challenging to find the right employees, the agency built a diverse team united by values of teamwork, respect, transparency, and, perhaps most importantly, fun. With a robust team in place, Infectious set out to conquer the advertising world, securing partnerships with a variety of clients like, Under Armour, National Geographic, UltraTech, Tribhuvandas Bhimji Zaveri and more. Shortly after its launch, the agencys first notable work was done for UBQOOL.Com. The campaign comprised three TVCs depicting how the site makes learning fun and easy for kids to master tough subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Geography. When asked about a standout campaign that the agency worked on, Singhania recalls the Baat Ghar Ki campaign for UltraTech which won them their first Effie award. She said, With over 200 videos in six languages explaining the 7 stages of Home building, the campaign helped transform UltraTechs image from that of a cement company to a partner in the home building journey and won us our first Effie. More recently, the brand has worked with a diverse set of brands. From luxury brands like Bonito Designs to social causes like The Hope Concert and Arize - Farmers Prosperity, the agency has done it all. Emerging Trends and AI Integration Infectious Advertising is actively exploring emerging trends in the advertising industry to stay ahead of the curve. One significant trend they are focusing on is data-driven, real-time insight mining. They believe in leveraging this trend to enhance their strategies and campaigns in the near future. Moreover, the integration of AI has revolutionised Infectious Advertising's operations, from campaign ideation to execution. We have embraced AI fully, Singhania said, Be it ChatGPT or MidJourney, our copy and art teams are using the new AI tools to make the work look better. By leveraging AI technologies, the agency has experienced a significant boost in efficiency and creativity, ensuring that its campaigns are not only visually appealing but also highly engaging. Looking Ahead As Infectious Advertising looks to the future, its focus remains; creating campaigns that captivate audiences and ignite conversations. Our goal is to create work that is shared and talked about, remarked Shastry. With short-term objectives centred on recruiting top talent and long-term aspirations aimed at securing partnerships with visionary brands, Infectious Advertising intends to continue crafting stories that leave a lasting impression on the advertising landscape.

Alaya F Steals The Show In A Stunning Monochromatic Dress, See Pics

What do you think of Alaya's impeccable look, goals or not?

SLB OneSubsea and Subsea7 Sign Long-Term Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Equinor; Commence Work on Wisting and Bay Du Nord Projects

Business Wire India SLB (NYSE: SLB) has announced the signing of a new long-term strategic collaboration agreement between Equinor ASA and the Subsea Integration Alliance (which comprises OneSubsea and Subsea7). The agreement paves the way for exploratory work to begin on two projects: the Wisting field offshore Norway and Bay Du Nord, off Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240501491687/en/ The strategic collaboration agreement enables early information sharing, technology innovation and other collaborative benefits critical to unlocking more subsea projects by making them economically viable. (Photo: Business Wire) The agreement, which was signed today in Stavanger, Norway, represents an innovative, integrated way of working. It enables early information sharing, technology innovation and other collaborative benefits critical to unlocking more subsea projects by making them economically viable. Building on their experience as members of the Subsea Integration Alliance, this agreement also further cements OneSubsea and Subsea7s positions as trusted contractors to Equinor. Equinor is working hard to improve and mature the Wisting and Bay du Nord projects. Selecting the supplier at this early stage, is a new way of approaching project development for us, and a vote of confidence to Subsea Integration Alliance. We look forward to develop concepts together, in a process with full visibility on profitability, and joint efforts to make these challenging projects sanctionable, says Trond Bokn, senior vice president for Project development in Equinor. Equinor has long been a crucial customer to our business and to the Alliance. We couldnt be more proud to be embarking on this collaboration, said Mads Hjelmeland, CEO of OneSubsea. Todays agreement underlines the trusted relationship that we have built over many years and enables us to take our collaboration further by sharing and aligning on goals and values, improving performance and learnings across projects, and unlocking new opportunities to enhance safety, risk management and sustainability results. John Evans, CEO of Subsea7 said: Subsea7 has been collaborating with Equinor for many years to optimize challenging subsea developments ranging from bundle solutions for the Snorre Expansion to the integrated Bacalhau development in Brazil. We look forward to extending and deepening this relationship as we work together to unlock the value in Wisting and Bay du Nord. The agreement paves the way for collaboration to begin immediately on early, joint concept studies for two major projects. Under the same agreement, any resulting EPCI execution would be directly awarded to the alliance, if a final investment decision (FID) is made. Wisting is located in the Barents Sea, offshore Norway. Bay Du Nord is approximately 500 km northeast of St Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Bringing together the expertise, experience and capabilities of Equinor, OneSubsea and Subsea7 has enabled further exploratory work across both projects, with the potential for additional opportunities to be unlocked in the short- to medium-term. About SLB SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com . About OneSubsea OneSubsea is driving the new subsea era that leverages digital and technology innovation to optimize our customers oil and gas production, decarbonize subsea operations, and unlock the large potential of subsea solutions to accelerate the energy transition. OneSubsea is a joint venture backed by SLB, Aker Solutions, and Subsea7 headquartered in Oslo and Houston, with 10,000 employees across the world. Find out more at onesubsea.slb.com . About Subsea Integration Alliance Subsea Integration Alliance is a strategic global alliance between OneSubsea and Subsea7, bringing together field development planning, project delivery, EPCI contracting models, and total life cycle solutions under the worlds leading subsea technology and services portfolio. Find out more at subseaintegrationalliance.com . About Equinor Visit : equinor.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws that is, statements about the future, not about past events. Such statements often contain words such as expect, may, can, estimate, intend, anticipate, will, potential, projected and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as forecasts or expectations regarding the deployment of, or anticipated benefits of, SLBs new technologies and partnerships; statements about goals, plans and projections with respect to sustainability and environmental matters; forecasts or expectations regarding energy transition and global climate change; and improvements in operating procedures and technology. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inability to achieve net-negative carbon emissions goals; the inability to recognize intended benefits of SLBs strategies, initiatives or partnerships; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change; the timing or receipt of regulatory approvals and permits; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in SLBs most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240501491687/en/

UGRO Capital Secures INR 1,332.66 Cr from Prominent Investors, Bolstering its Growth Trajectory

UGRO Capital Secures INR 1,332.66 Cr from Prominent Investors, Bolstering its Growth Trajectory UGRO Capital Limited (NSE: UGROCAP) (BSE: 511742), a leading DataTech NBFC focused on MSME lending, today announced that its Board of Directors have approved an equity capital raise of INR 1,332.66 Cr through Compulsory Convertible Debentures (CCD) and Warrants. The equity fund raise is subject to shareholder approval. UGRO raised this capital through an innovative combination of Compulsorily Convertible Debentures with Warrants, ensuring that the capital required for both the current year's growth and next year's growth is effectively locked in today. This capital raise received strong commitment from Samena Capital, one of the Company's existing private equity investors, which committed INR 500 Crores through Warrants. In addition to institutional investors like Aregence, some of India's marquee family offices have committed in CCD and Warrants. UGRO's founder, board members and management team together committed INR 16.25 Crores in Warrants. UGRO's founder, on 9th August 2023, had invested his entire first bonus, received from the Company, in buying UGRO's shares. Reflecting on these pivotal developments, Mr. Shachindra Nath, Founder and Managing Director of UGRO Capital, said, ''The capital raise marks a significant milestone in our journey. We have always wanted to create an Institutionally Owned, Independently Supervised and Professionally Managed FinTech in the listed world, so that the opportunity is available to the large universe of Public Market Investors. We believe that we are at a pivotal moment where our potential of being a financial institutional is serving the need of small businesses of India. Today, India needs more financial institutions like ours, to fulfil the credit gap of more than 90 Lac crores, and I am thankful to all the investors, lenders, co-lending partners and more importantly all UGROites to make this dream come true.'' This is the third capital raise by UGRO Capital. In 2018, Mr. Shachindra Nath acquired control of a small listed NBFC 'Chokhani Securities Limited' and simultaneously raised institutional equity capital of INR 914 Crores from the likes of TPG - NewQuest, PAG, ADV Capital, Samena Capital and other domestic family offices and public market investors. This, in 2018, was one of the largest capital raises for a listed company at a startup stage. Last year, UGRO Capital continued its trajectory of strategic expansion, raising INR 340.5 Crores. Of this, INR 240 Crores was garnered through preferential allotment to IFU (Investeringsfonden for Udviklingslande) via its Danish Sustainable Development Goals Investment Fund K/S. Additionally, INR 100.5 Crores was secured from long-term shareholders, including insurance companies, AIFs, and other financial institutions, through a Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP). These successive capital raises reflect UGRO Capital's unwavering commitment to innovation, growth, and fostering sustainable development in the Indian MSME landscape. This equity capital raise was advised by InCred Capital, the Investment Banking arm of Incred Group. About UGRO Capital Ltd (NSE: UGROCAP) (BSE: 511742) UGRO Capital Limited is a DataTech Lending platform, listed on NSE and BSE, pursuing its mission of 'Solving the Unsolved' for the small business credit gap in India, on the back of its formidable distribution reach and its Data-tech approach. The Company's prowess in Data Analytics and strong Technology architecture allows for customized sourcing platforms for each sourcing channel. GRO Plus module which has uberized intermediated sourcing, GRO Chain, a supply chain financing platform with automated end-to-end approval and flow of invoices, GRO Xstream platform for co-lending, an upstream and downstream integration with fintechs and liability providers, and GRO X application to deliver embedded financing option to MSMEs. The credit scoring model GRO Score (3.0) a statistical framework using AI / ML driven statistical model to risk rank customers is revolutionizing the MSME credit by providing on-tap financing like consumer financing in India. UGRO has executed the Co-lending model in India, which is prevalent in the West, through Co-Lending relationships with 10+ Large Public Sector Banks and large NBFCs and built a sizeable off-balance sheet asset of more than 46% of its AUM through the GRO Xstream platform. The Company is backed by marquee institutional investors (raised INR 900+ Cr of equity capital in 2018, INR 340 Cr in 2023 and INR 900 Cr in 2024) and aims to capture 1% market share over the next three years. For more information, please visit: http://www.ugrocapital.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2168009/4193220/UGRO_Capital_Limited_Logo.jpg

Does Prioritizing Carbs Over Other Nutrients Truly Support Weight Loss Goals?

The 80/10/10 diet has gained attention in recent years for its promise of weight management and improved health. Developed by athlete and raw food advocate Dr. Douglas Graham, this eating approach focuses on sourcing the majority of calories from carbohydrates like fruits and vegetables, with smaller amounts from protein and fat. But does limiting other [] The post Does Prioritizing Carbs Over Other Nutrients Truly Support Weight Loss Goals? appeared first on Northlines .

Nothing, Just Milind Soman And Ankita Konwar Redefining Couple Goals

Milind Soman and his wife Ankita arrived hand in hand to attend the Style Icons event.

FCB Ulka announces Hemant Shringy as its new Chief Creative Officer

FCB Ulka announces Hemant Shringy as its new Chief Creative Officer, marking a significant step in the agency's ongoing creative evolution. As chief creative officer, Hemant will be partnering closely with FCB Ulka CEO Kulvinder Ahluwalia to lead the FCB Ulka offices across the country. He will also be a key member of FCB Group Indias creative leadership, collaborating with leaders across agencies to continue to elevate the work across the network. With more than two decades of experience, Hemant emerges as a new-age creative leader, perpetually championing curiosity. His influence inspires brands such as P&G's Ariel, Whisper, Gillette, Visa, WhatsApp and eBay to embrace distinctiveness, guiding them towards the pursuit of creative excellence. On the appointment, Dheeraj Sinha , FCB Group CEO of India and South Asia, said, Our focus on building a new-age agency demands fresh perspectives. At FCB, our goal is to unite top-tier creative talent and demonstrate that creativity serves as an economic multiplier. Hemant s track record of delivering outstanding creative solutions, resulting in brand recognition and business expansion, positions him ideally as the creative helm for FCB Ulka. I'm so excited to join Dheeraj, Nitin, and Kulvinder, along with the entire team at FCB. I can't wait to create a great partnership with our clients that leads to creatively effective work. There is such tremendous work happening around the world, and I think when the right people come together, magic happens. I've seen it. And I have a great feeling about this, adds Hemant on joining FCB Ulka.

China-Europe Summit: Xi Jinping's Visit to Focus on Ukraine, Trade, and Investment

China-Europe Summit: Xi Jinping's Visit to Focus on Ukraine, Trade, and Investment Ukraine, trade and investment are expected to dominate Chinese leader Xi Jinping's first trip to Europe in five years, as the Asian giant rebuilds its foreign relations after a prolonged absence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Xi will start the tour in Paris on Monday, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been stressing the idea of European strategic autonomy from the U.S. On a visit to Beijing last year, Macron courted controversy by saying France would not necessarily always align with the US in foreign policy, an apparent reference to American support for the self-governing republic of Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. After leaving France, Xi will visit Hungary and Serbia, both seen as China-friendly and close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, rebuffing Western criticism of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Xi's European visits will be closely followed in Washington for signs of diminishing support for its key foreign policy goals. The Chinese leader will arrive in France just as Paris is putting the finishing touches on its preparations for hosting the Summer Olympics, an event in which China invests huge amount of national prestige. France sees Xi's visit, which officially marks 60 years of French-Chinese diplomatic relations, as an important diplomatic moment, and wants to focus on China's broader relations with the EU. Macron invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the talks Monday. It comes a month before Macron, who positions himself as the diplomatic leader of Europe, hosts Biden for a similar state visit. It is also a sign of the good vibes from Macron's visit to China in April last year,'' said Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. This is a highly strategic visit to Europe by Xi. And in his itinerary you can divine the runes of Chinese policy on Europe now, bolstering the traditional links as far as possible, and reinforcing new ones, Brown said. Xi's is also visiting Budapest, where Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn, in power for 14 years, is facing political challenges from the opposition over his authoritarian style. Hungary has straddled a middle ground between its membership in the EU and NATO and an unusual openness to diplomatic and trade relationships with eastern autocracies such as Russia and China. Orbn, a right-wing populist who has forged close ties with Russia, delayed Sweden's entry into NATO for months. China has cited NATO expansion as provoking Russia to invade Ukraine. Hungary is the first EU member to participate in Xi's signature Belt and Road Initiative that seeks to build billions of dollars of roads, ports, power plants and other infrastructure across Asia, Africa and beyond. Orbn was the only EU leader to attend a conference in Beijing on the BRI, which has been criticized for burying participating countries in debt and failing to deliver on promised investments, something that prompted Italy to drop out last year. Despite that, Hungary's government has deepened its economic ties with China, with the proliferation of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery factories across the country gaining the most attention. Near Debrecen, Hungary's second-largest city, construction is underway of a nearly 550-acre, 7.3 billion euro ($7.9 billion) EV battery plant, Hungary's largest-ever foreign direct investment. China has also invested heavily in infrastructure to link Hungary with its southern neighbor Serbia, Xi's next stop on his European tour. In 2014, Hungary and Serbia concluded an agreement with Beijing to modernize the railway between their capitals of Budapest and Belgrade, part of a Belt and Road plan to link up with the Chinese-controlled port of Piraeus in Greece, to the south, an entry point for Chinese goods to Central and Eastern Europe. The more than $2 billion project is expected to be completed in 2026, after numerous delays. In Serbia, Xi will hold talks with President Aleksandar Vucic, with whose government China has built strong relations. The two countries have a long history of friendship, particularly since 1999, when NATO bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, killing three Chinese nationals, during the air war to end Serbia's brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo. The U.S. apologized, saying faulty target selection was to blame, but the incident led to violent attacks on U.S. diplomatic installations in China and fueled anti-American sentiment in both countries that endures to this day. In 2022, shortly after the Russian assault on Ukraine, Serbia took semi-secret delivery of a sophisticated Chinese anti-aircraft system flown in on six Chinese Air Force Y-20 transport planes. The arms delivery over the territory of at least two NATO member states, Turkey and Bulgaria, was seen by experts as a demonstration of China's growing global reach. China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict but Xi and Putin declared their governments had a no limits friendship before Moscow's attack on Ukraine. China has refused to call the Russian assault an invasion and has been accused of bolstering Russia's capacity to produce weapons and its military advantage against Ukraine, which is awaiting tens of billions in Western military aid. A U.S. military aid bill passed last week allots $61 billion for Ukraine, as well as $8 billion to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific, which China has condemned as a dangerous provocation. China's foreign ministry said the US position on Chinese defense trade with Russia was hypocritical when considered alongside the amount of military assistance Washington is providing to Kyiv. China denies selling arms to Russia and the US says it has found no direct evidence of such evidence of such. However, China does sell machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for use in its war against Ukraine, according to a US assessment.

Mira Rajput Kapoor looks royal in pastel-hued lehenga

Mira Rajput Kapoor looks royal in pastel-hued lehenga Shahid Kapoor's wife Mira Rajput Kapoor has established herself as a fashion diva over the years. She enjoys a huge fan base on social media especially for her immaculate fashion sense as she often flaunts some exquisite outfits. Her recent Instagram posts showed Mira giving her followers a glimpse of her showstopper look for Monica Shah and Karishma Swali's fashion show, which took place in Mumbai on Thursday night. She looked gorgeous in a pastel-hued royal lehenga with intricate embroidery all over it. Before hitting the runway, Mira on Thursday morning dished out some fitness goals with her hubby Shahid. She dropped a picture from their joint workout session. In the image, Mira, decked up in stylish gym wear, could be seen taking a mirror selfie. Shahid, being his goofy self, stood behind her and flexed his biceps. You complete me, Mira captioned the post, garnering netizens' praise. Reacting to the post, a fan commented, You both are so fit. Fit Jodi, another one wrote. Shahid and Mira got married on July 7, 2015, in an intimate wedding in Delhi. The duo had an arranged marriage. They are doting parents to daughter Misha and son Zain. Misha was born in 2016 while Shahid-Mira welcomed Zain in 2018. Speaking of Shahid's work projects, he was recently seen with Kriti Sanon in 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya'. The film also performed decently at the box office. Looking ahead, Kapoor's fans are eagerly awaiting his next project, 'Devaa,' directed by Rosshan Andrrews. Co-starring Pooja Hegde, the film is slated for a theatrical release on Dussehra this year. Fans are also waiting for him to announce the second part of his debut web series 'Farzi'. (ANI)

Bayer Leverkusen Beat Roma To Put One Foot In Europa League Final

Xabi Alonso's team have needed a string of last gasp goals to keep their unbeaten run going in recent weeks but there was no need for any frantic finishes in the Italian capital as Bayer Leverkusen's superiority was fully on display.

El Kaabi Hits Hat-trick As Olympiakos Shock Villa, Fiorentina Edge Brugge

Olympiakos showed no signs of nerves in their first ever European semi-final with Ayoub El Kaabi taking his tally for the season to 30 goals.

This Day in History: Subhash Chandra Bose Launches All India Forward Bloc: A Landmark in India's Independence Movement

On May 3, 1939, amidst the fervor of India's struggle for independence, Subhash Chandra Bose made a historic move by founding the All India Forward Bloc. This seminal event marked a significant turning point in India's fight against British colonial rule, as Bose sought to inject new energy and strategies into the nationalist movement. Dissatisfied with the prevailing tactics and approach of the Indian National Congress, which he felt were not assertive enough in challenging British dominance, Bose took the bold step of forming a new political entity. The All India Forward Bloc was not merely a splinter group but a deliberate attempt to forge a distinct path towards liberation, one that resonated with Bose's vision of a resolute and uncompromising struggle for freedom. The core objective of the Forward Bloc was clear: to unite progressive forces across the country and mobilize them for a concerted effort towards rapid self-governance. Bose believed that the time had come for India to assert its independence without delay, and he saw the Forward Bloc as a vehicle to galvanize the masses towards this goal. At its inception, the Forward Bloc attracted a diverse range of members, including socialist thinkers, radical activists, and grassroots leaders disillusioned with the Congress's moderate stance. Bose's charismatic leadership and unwavering commitment to the cause infused the organization with a sense of purpose and urgency. One of the defining features of the Forward Bloc was its emphasis on direct action and mass mobilization. Bose was not content with mere rhetoric or symbolic gestures; he advocated for active resistance against British rule through strikes, protests, and other forms of nonviolent civil disobedience. This approach distinguished the Forward Bloc from other political movements of the time and earned it a reputation for its boldness and dynamism. The formation of the Forward Bloc sent shockwaves through the political landscape of colonial India. It represented a challenge to the hegemony of the Congress and forced other nationalist leaders to reckon with Bose's radical vision. While some viewed Bose's actions with skepticism or outright opposition, many others saw in him a beacon of hope and a rallying point for the aspirations of millions of Indians yearning for freedom. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, including arrests and harassment by the British authorities, Bose remained undeterred in his quest for independence. The Forward Bloc continued to grow in strength and influence, inspiring a new generation of activists and instilling a sense of defiance in the face of oppression. In the annals of India's struggle for independence, the founding of the All India Forward Bloc stands as a testament to the courage, vision, and determination of Subhash Chandra Bose. It serves as a reminder that the path to liberation is often fraught with obstacles, but it is only through unwavering commitment and collective action that the dream of freedom can be realized. Today, as we commemorate this historic event, let us draw inspiration from Bose's legacy and rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of justice, equality, and self-determination for all. Celebrating World Press Freedom Day: Advocating for Truth and Safety

Congress should be worried about its seat count...: BJP's Goa Lok Sabha Incharge Ashish Sood

Congress should be worried about its seat count...: BJP's Goa Lok Sabha Incharge Ashish Sood After the Election Commission of India (ECI) released the voter turnout data for the first and second phases of the Lok Sabha elections, BJP's Goa Lok Sabha election incharge, Ashish Sood said the way the Congress leaders reacted to ECI's figures shows their fear. He also said Congress should worry about its seat count. The way Congress is so worried and the way the Congress leaders started reacting yesterday after the Election Commission released the numbers, actually shows their fear. People like Shashi Tharoor saying that the BJP will get 200 or 225 seats only shows their fear & this fear is good. This fear is good because corrupt parties and those who carry corrupt ideologies forward should be afraid of PM Modi's arrival, Sood told ANI. Congress is worried about how many seats BJP will get. Congress should worry about how many seats Congress will win..., he further said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on April 30 released final figures of voting in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha election, showing a turnout of over 66 per cent in both phases. According to the poll body, in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the voter turnout was recorded at 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent in the second phase. Voting for the first phase was held on April 19 and the second phase on April 26. The poll panel further said that the male turnout in the first leg stood at 66.22 per cent, female at 66.07 per cent and third-gender (31.32 per cent). The figures for the second phase were 66.99 per cent (Male), 66.42 per cent (Female), and 23.86 per cent (Third-Gender), respectively. Of the total 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, as many as 102 went to polls on April 19, and 88 on April 26. Voting will also be held on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes and result declaration is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

Congress should be worried about its seat count: BJPs Goa Lok Sabha Incharge Ashish Sood

The News Mill

Hamas is sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks

BEIRUT: Hamas said Thursday that it was sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks, in a new sign of progress in attempts by international mediators to hammer out an agreement between Israel and the militant group to end the war in Gaza. After months of stop-and-start negotiations, the cease-fire efforts appear to have reached a critical stage, with Egyptian and American mediators reporting signs of compromise in recent days. But chances for the deal remain entangled with the key question of whether Israel will accept an end to the war without reaching its stated goal of destroying Hamas. The stakes in the cease-fire negotiations were made clear in a new U.N. report that said if the Israel-Hamas war stops today, it will still take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed by nearly seven months of Israeli bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza. It warned that the impact of the damage to the economy will set back development for generations and will only get worse with every month fighting continues. The proposal that U.S. and Egyptian mediators have put to Hamas - apparently with Israels acceptance sets out a three-stage process that would bring an immediate six-week cease-fire and partial release of Israeli hostages, but also negotiations over a permanent calm that includes some sort of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, according to an Egyptian official. Hamas is seeking guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal and complete end to the war. Hamas officials have sent mixed signals about the proposal in recent days. But on Thursday, its supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said in a statement that he had spoken to Egypts intelligence chief and stressed the positive spirit of the movement in studying the cease-fire proposal. The statement said that Hamas negotiators would travel to Cairo to complete the ongoing discussions with the aim of working forward for an agreement. Haniyeh said he had also spoken to the prime minister of Qatar, another key mediator in the process. The brokers are hopeful that the deal will bring an end to a conflict that has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, caused widespread destruction and plunged the territory into a humanitarian crisis. They also hope a deal will avert an Israeli attack on Rafah, where more than half of Gazas 2.3 million people have sought shelter after fleeing battle zones elsewhere in the territory. If Israel does agree to end the war in return for a full hostage release, it would be a major turnaround. Since Hamas Oct. 7 attack stunned Israel, its leaders have vowed not to stop their bombardment and ground offensives until the militant group is destroyed. They also say Israel must keep a military presence in Gaza and security control after the war to ensure Hamas doesnt rebuild. Publicly at least, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that is the only acceptable endgame. He has vowed that even if a cease-fire is reached, Israel will eventually attack Rafah, which he says is Hamas last stronghold in Gaza. He repeated his determination to do so in talks Wednesday with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Israel on a regional tour to push the deal through. The agreements immediate fate hinges on whether Hamas will accept uncertainty over the final phases to bring the initial six-week pause in fighting and at least postpone what it is feared would be a devastating assault on Rafah. Egypt has been privately assuring Hamas that the deal will mean a total end to the war. But the Egyptian official said Hamas says the texts language is too vague and wants it to specify a complete Israeli pullout from all of Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about the internal deliberations. On Wednesday evening, however, the news looked less positive as Osama Hamdan, a top Hamas official, expressed skepticism, saying the groups initial position was negative. Speaking to Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV, he said that talks were still ongoing but would stop if Israel invades Rafah. Blinken hiked up pressure on Hamas to accept, saying Israel had made very important compromises. Theres no time for further haggling. The deal is there, Blinken said Wednesday before leaving for the U.S. An Israeli airstrike, meanwhile, killed at least five people, including a child, in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The bodies were seen and counted by Associated Press journalists at a hospital. The war broke out on Oct. 7. when Hamas militants broke into southern Israel and killed over 1,200 people, mostly Israelis, taking around 250 others hostage, some released during a cease-fire on November. The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the Oct. 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Hamas is believed to still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. Since then, Israels campaign in Gaza has wreaked vast destruction and brought a humanitarian disaster, with several hundred thousand Palestinians in northern Gaza facing imminent famine, according to the U.N. More than 80% of the population has been driven from their homes. The productive basis of the economy has been destroyed and poverty is rising sharply among Palestinians, according to the report released Thursday by the United Nations Development Program and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. It said that in 2024, the entire Palestinian economy including both Gaza and the West Bank - has so far contracted 25.8%. If the war continues, the loss will reach a staggering 29% by July, it said. The West Bank economy has been hit by Israels decision to cancel the work permits for tens of thousands of laborers who depended on jobs inside Israel. These new figures warn that the suffering in Gaza will not end when the war does, UNDP administrator Achim Steiner said. He warned of a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come.

Now, book a private train from Kerala

KOCHI: In a first, private trains will be available for tourists from Kerala to destinations such as Goa, Mumbai and Ayodhya. To begin with, the private train journey from the state to Goa will begin next month. The facility is being launched by SRMPR Global Railways, a Chennai-based tour operator, in partnership with the Kochi-based Princy World Travel Limited. An individual or a group of 600 passengers can book a private train journey to the three prominent destinations from Kerala, said officials. The inaugural journey is set to depart from Thiruvananthapuram on June 4 to Madgaon in Goa. The four-day tour package is available in three categories: 2-tier AC at Rs 16,400 per person, 3-tier AC at Rs 15,150 per person and non-AC sleeper at Rs 13,999. The package includes stay, food and sightseeing. Services like off-board travel and excursions by buses, stay at hotels, tour guides, meals and travel insurance are provided along with these train journeys and allied onboard services. Though the Indian Railways introduced the concept of private players operating tourist trains on theme-based circuits under the Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains around a couple of years back, this is the first time that a private company is getting into this segment from Kerala. Earlier, such private train tours were launched from states such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. For instance, the government of Karnataka in association with IRCTC operates private trains to Kashi Prayag, Gaya and Ayodhya. Similarly, private trains are operated between Coimbatore and Shirdi. Plan to import private trains from Germany According to officials of Princy Tours, the trains are purchased by SRMPR from the Indian Railways to operate exclusively for tourism purposes. From Kerala, there are mainly three tour packages Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram to Goa (four-day package) and Thiruvananthapuram to Ayodhya (eight-day package), said Devika Menon, director of Princy World Travel Ltd. Plans are on to operate around 12 trains from Kerala. Once the initial three routes gain maximum traction, new routes will be introduced, she said. This train is being introduced on a trial basis.The SRMPR group will import special trains from Germany to run them privately. Hopefully, the trains will arrive by this year's end, she said. The trains have limited stops and only those who have booked the tickets can enter the train. A total of 60 staff, including the paramedical team and pantry are available onboard, said Devika Menon. The train is equipped with CCTV cameras and WiFi. As per the initial plan, the tourist train will operate to the specific destinations with a weeks gap. We have received the slots to operate from June to September. The dates for Mumbai and Ayodhya will be released soon, she said. The trains will have boarding from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod from Kerala.

Leverkusen's Unbeaten Run Marches On with 2-0 Roma Triumph in Europa League

Leverkusen's Unbeaten Run Marches On with 2-0 Roma Triumph in Europa League An imposing stadium in a major foreign capital did nothing to stop Bayer Leverkusen's record unbeaten march across Europe. The freshly crowned first-time Bundesliga champion silenced the Stadio Olimpico with a 2-0 win at Roma in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday to extend its unbeaten streak to 47 matches across all competitions. No club from Europe's five biggest leagues in Germany, England, Italy, Spain and France has had a longer unbeaten streak. We take things game by game and we are not thinking about being unbeaten, Leverkusen midfielder Amine Adli said. We are not thinking about making history or things like that that's why we are playing like this and the team is strong. We just want to enjoy ourselves. The result also marked a measure of revenge for Leverkusen since Roma had beaten the German club in this exact same stage last season for its last defeat in Europe. We know it is not easy to play here, Adli said. We played a very serious game. Leverkusen's last loss across all competitions was a 3-0 defeat to Bochum in the final round of last season's Bundesliga nearly a year ago on May 27, 2023. Roma was dangerous with an early header off the crossbar from Romelu Lukaku. But then Leverkusen scored on the counterattack seven minutes later. A failed back pass from Roma right back Rick Karsdorp under pressure from Alex Grimaldo on the left flank resulted in a 3-on-1 for Leverkusen. Grimaldo then passed to Florian Wirtz, who calmly slotted in from the center of the area. Midfielder Robert Andrich added another goal for Leverkusen in the 73rd with a long-range shot just as Roma had been threatening on the other end. In the other semifinal, Atalanta drew 1-1 at Marseille. The second legs will be held next Thursday, with the final to be held in Dublin on May 22. Leverkusen has won only one European trophy: the 1988 UEFA Cup, which was then predecessor to the Europa League. Its only other European final came in the 2002 Champions League, won by Real Madrid. Roma is aiming to qualify for its third consecutive European final after winning the Europa Conference League in 2022 and losing last year's Europa League final to Sevilla in a penalty shootout. Daniele De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho as Roma's coach in January. The Giallorossi hadn't lost a European knockout stage game at home in seven years since getting beat 1-0 by Villarreal in the 2017 Europa League. Roma fans' pre-match choreography across one entire end of the stadium spelled out the word AVANZIAMO (Let's advance). But Roma now faces an uphill challenge to eliminate Leverkusen, which hasn't lost all season. Marseille's players were treated to an ovation at Stade Velodrome from their hard-to-please fans after the draw with Atalanta which eliminated Liverpool in the quarterfinals. Atalanta took the lead in the 11th when striker Gianluca Scamacca hit a low shot into the bottom corner after reading Teun Koopmeiners' clever pass. But Marseille equalized in the 20th when central defender Chancel Mbemba collected Geoffrey Kondogbia's pass and his fine curling shot from the edge of the penalty area hit the left post and rolled in. The second half was almost entirely one-way traffic as Marseille pushed forward. Winger Ismala Sarr had a goal disallowed for an offside following a video review and substitute Azzedine Ounahi hit the crossbar with a curling shot in the 73rd. EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE ==================== In the third-tier competition semifinal first legs, Aston Villa's hopes of reaching a first European final since 1982 were diminished with a 4-2 home loss to Olympiakos, the first defeat at Villa Park in the European campaign for the last English club in European competitions. Villa came back from 2-0 down but was not able to answer Ayoub El Kaabi's third goal of the game. The striker converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-2 for his eighth goal in the competition this season. Santiago Hezze finished the scoring before Douglas Luiz wasted a penalty for Villa. Olympiakos is aiming to play on home soil in the May 29 final in Athens. Earlier, El Kaabi scored twice within a half hour put the visitors in charge. In Florence, substitute M'Bala Nzola netted in stoppage time for last-year's runner-up Fiorentina to secure a 3-2 victory over 10-man Club Brugge. Brugge's Raphael Onyedika was sent off after receiving his second yellow card on the hour when the Italian club was 2-1 up but the visitors equalized through Igor Thiago to complete a counter just minutes later. Riccardo Sottil put Fiorentina ahead early on, Brugge captain Hans Vanaken answered with an equalizer from the penalty spot and then Andrea Belotti restored the lead for Fiorentina on a rebound.

Nornickel's innovative solutions will contribute to sustainable development goals in the Asia-Pacific region

Climate change and environmental protection are among the most significant problems in the AsiaPacific region. ...

Guts, guns & a goat: A commander recollects his days and nights at the Kargil war

25th anniversary of Kargil war, Indian Army's Operation Vijay, marked by epic battles. Lieutenant Colonel Sada S Peter shared untold stories. Kargil victory celebrated in Delhi.

Workshops for TSRTC employees on e-buses

HYDERABAD : To increase awareness about electric buses, the TSRTC employees will attend workshops on the management of these vehicles. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by British Deputy High Commissioner Gareth Wynn Owen and TSRTC managing director VC Sajjanar at Bus Bhavan on Thursday. The meeting was part of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) pilot project. The discussion moved around the financing mechanism of ZEVs, which has to be strengthened as per the agreement reached with the UK, the US and India at the G-20 meetings held in Goa last year. The usage of electric buses in the RTC, technical support, upgrading skills, and training were primarily discussed.

C Rly women win Bandra Gym rink hockey

In the womens final, CR scored a goal each, through Shivani Singh Saini and Adira Singh to defeat arch-rivals Western Railway 2-0.

SIT to invoke rape charge, Prajwal Revanna seeks anticipatory bail

BENGALURU: Holenarsipura MLA HD Revanna on Thursday moved a Special Court for anticipatory bail, in view of the jurisdictional court granting permission to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to invoke charges of rape. The SIT is probing the alleged sexual harassment case involving the former minister and his son Prajwal Revanna, who is Hassan MP. Issuing notice to the SIT, the Special Court to try criminal cases against sitting and former MPs/MLAs adjourned the hearing to Friday. Revanna and Prajwal are the first and second accused respectively, in the case registered by Holenarasipura Town police. Senior counsel Murthy D Naik, on behalf of Revanna, vehemently argued that they have filed an interim bail application along with the petition. Though the alleged offences against Revanna are bailable in nature, subsequently, the investigating agency has sought permission of the competent jurisdictional court to invoke provisions of IPC Section 376 (rape charges), he argued. Further, he argued that the petitioner himself has sworn to that extent, but the copy of the permission accorded by the jurisdictional court to invoke rape charges is yet to be obtained. Considering the submissions made by the counsel, the court issued notice to the investigating agency. At this juncture, the senior counsel submitted that a Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) has been appointed in this case. Taking it on record, the court asked the SPP, B N Jagadeesha, to take notice on behalf of SIT and file objections, if any. Revanna contended that the case has been filed with political malice, to hinder the election prospects of his son Prajwal and to harass him. He is innocent of the alleged crime and has been made a scapegoat by opposition parties as a vengeful attempt to malign his reputation. Suraj Revanna points at conspiracy to weaken his dad Hassan: Admitting that he had met Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in January this year, Suraj Revanna, the elder brother of alleged sex scandal accused Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, on Thursday reiterated that the meeting was only to discuss development works and grants for the same. Speaking to reporters here, Suraj stated that he never met the KPCC chief over any other issue. Since then, he has not met any Congress leaders either. Suraj, who is also an MLC, pointed at an alleged political conspiracy behind filing of an FIR against his father, HD Revanna. The people of Hassan district know Revanna and cannot compare any leader with him. Some political forces are allegedly making futile attempts to weaken and finish off Revanna politically, he alleged. Suraj added that he doesnt know about the case involving his brother Prajwal, and the SIT is probing the alleged sex scandal. We will wait and see, he added. He brushed aside speculation of joining the Congress, while exuding confidence that Prajwal will win the Hassan seat again. ENS

Abstaining Sugar To Plant-Based Diet: Take Inspiration From John Abraham's Healthy Lifestyle

It takes more than just a good workout routine to achieve the fitness goals that John Abraham has

LG flags off Road Safety Awareness Tour from Raj Bhawan

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, May 2: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off Road Safety Awareness Tour Mission Save Lives J&K Tour 2024 from Raj Bhawan today. The Lt Governor commended the endeavour of Kashmir Road Safety Foundation to create awareness, educate communities and implement measures to enhance road safety across UT of Jammu Kashmir. Mission Save Lives J&K Tour 2024 will cover all the Districts of J&K and spread awareness about the importance of Road Safety and Sustainable Development Goals. Dr [] The post LG flags off Road Safety Awareness Tour from Raj Bhawan appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

China to launch ambitious mission to far side of the moon amid Nasa space race concerns

The launch of the uncrewed Change-6 is part of Chinas effort to put a human on the lunar surface by 2030 China will attempt another mission to the far side of the moon on Friday, the first of three planned over coming years as part of its goal to land a human on the lunar surface by 2030. The launch of the uncrewed Change-6 is expected sometime between 8.30am GMT and 11am GMT and the mission if successful would go far to bolster Chinas ambitions to put a man on the moon by 2030. Continue reading...

UPPL releases Lok Sabha election manifesto in Kokrajhar

HT Correspondent KOKRAJHAR, May 2: The ruling United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) released its Lok Sabha Election Manifesto 2024, titled Goal-Beautiful Bodoland at a programme held at the partys central office in Kokrajhar on Wednesday evening. The manifesto was released amidst the presence of several party leaders and well wishers. It may be mentioned that []

Goa: Digging work reveals stone carving with links to Portugueses quest for new capital

PANAJI, May 2 : Workers digging up a pavement in Goa capital Panaji came across a carved stone slab dating back to several hundred years, with historians saying it had links to the time when the Portuguese were building a new capital. In a social media post, historian Sanjeev Sardesai said a slab of stone/granite was found with the carving of a bearded man playing a harp/violin with a dog near his feet. It was found during excavation and refurbishment [] The post Goa: Digging work reveals stone carving with links to Portugueses quest for new capital appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Brazil declares country foot-and-mouth disease-free without vaccination

Brazil declares country foot-and-mouth disease-free without vaccination Brazil declared itself on Thursday as free of foot and mouth disease without vaccination, and will request World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to recognize that status as it seeks to open more markets for its meat exports. Foot-and-mouth disease causes fever and mouth blisters in animals with foot ruptures, such as cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. Brazil's Agriculture Ministry said in a statement it will ask for WOAH recognition next August, adding the request could be approved in May, 2025. Agriculture minister Carlos Favaro said in a live streaming video the self-declaration is an important step towards a global recognition. Brazil is the world's largest beef exporter, with China and the United States as its main buyers. However, the lack of a status for foot and mouth disease free without vaccination in some states prevents Brazil from selling its beef to nations like Japan and South Korea, a scenario Favaro said he wants to change.

Viriato will take up Goas issues: MLA

Schools must assign spl nos for students

Govt dept printed ruling partys poll material: Congress

Tougher law against turncoats will make BJP struggle: Khera

US IRS targets sharply higher audit rates on big firms, partnerships, millionaires

US IRS targets sharply higher audit rates on big firms, partnerships, millionaires The Internal Revenue Service said on Thursday that it plans to sharply increase audit rates for big corporations, partnerships and multimillionaires over the next three years as it ramps up enforcement spending and hiring to boost collections. Releasing an update of its strategic operating plan for spending $60 billion in funding from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS said it was targeting a near tripling of the audit rate on corporations with assets over $250 million to 22.6% in the 2026 tax year from 8.8% in 2019. For complex partnerships with assets over $10 million the IRS said it intends to increase audit rates by nearly 10-fold, to 1% in tax year 2026 from 0.1% in 2019. The IRS also said it is targeting a 50% increase in audit rates for individuals with total positive annual income of over $10 million, to 16.5% in the 2026 tax year from 11% in 2019. At the same time, the IRS emphasized that it would not increase audit rates on individuals and small businesses earning under $400,000, in keeping with President Joe Biden's pledge not to increase taxes on that population. The IRS said it intends to spend $7.25 billion of the Inflation Reduction Act funds in fiscal 2024, up from $3.4 billion in fiscal 2023. The agency's initial strategic operating plan called for fiscal 2024 spending at $5.8 billion. The IRS plans to spend $9.3 billion in fiscal 2025, $7.3 billion in fiscal 2026 and a total of $57.82 billion over the decade though fiscal 2031, according to the document. The changes outlined in this report are a stark contrast to the years of under-funding that deteriorated taxpayer service and tax enforcement, frustrating taxpayers, the tax community and IRS employees alike, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement. The Inflation Reduction Act funding was initially approved at $80 billion over a decade to modernize the IRS's antiquated computer systems, improve taxpayer services and ramp up enforcement to close the ax gap between taxes owed and those collected, estimated at $7 trillion over 10 years. The provision in the clean energy and healthcare bill that Democrats passed without Republican votes was meant to make up for a decade of IRS budget cuts passed by Republican-led Congresses. Republicans have railed against the IRS spending as harassment of Americans over their taxes and have successfully chipped away at the funding. A top-line spending deal is set to cut the funding by $20 billion this year. The IRS said it hired 13,661 people in fiscal 2023 using the Inflation Reduction Act funds, including 10,518 taxpayer services staff and 495 enforcement staff. It plans to increase these hires to 16,314 in fiscal 2024, including 4,088 enforcement staff. The report showed that the hiring would support a total IRS workforce of about 93,000, by 2028, up from 88,411 estimated for fiscal 2024. That would be somewhat short of Werfel's goal for an IRS workforce of over 100,000 within the next three years.

X is changing how the block button works

Elon Musk has made no secret that hes not a fan of the block button. Now, X is changing how blocks work on its platform, though its (for now) stopping short of Musks wish of nuking the feature entirely. Instead, X is tweaking the visibility of replies in the context of a block. Previously, a user could block someone on X and still reply to their posts. And the person who was blocked wouldnt be able to view that reply or know the person who had blocked them was engaging with their posts. Thats now being rolled back so that users will be able to see direct replies even if the person posting has blocked them. In a post from Xs engineering team, the company said the change is part of our ongoing commitment to aligning the block feature with our principles as a public town square. We are making changes to how block works. If a user who has blocked you replies to one of your posts, you will now be able to see their reply. This change enables you to identify and report any potential bad content that you previously could not view, safeguarding both your Engineering (@XEng) May 2, 2024 The post also hinted that there may be more changes coming to blocks, which is one of the most widely used safety features on the service. Our goal is to allow users to control their experience while maintaining the public visibility of posts, the company said. That would seem to align with previous comments from Musk, who has said on multiple occasions that a public-facing block feature makes no sense and that block is going to be deleted as a feature, except for DMs. For now, the changes to blocking arent that drastic. In fact, they may even be welcomed by some users who want more visibility into what people are saying about them on the platform. But the fact that X is starting to change the visibility of previously blocked content could also be a sign of more significant changes to come. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/x-is-changing-how-the-block-button-works-225338769.html?src=rss

Nitin Gadkari emphasises strong political power for country during poll tour to Vizag

Job creation, green-fuelled public mobility services and reducing logistics costs are the need of the hour to achieve the five trillion dollar economy goal, he says

Bayer Leverkusen on track for Europa League final after Andrich stuns Roma

Goals by Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich gave Bayer Leverkusen a 2-0 lead over Roma in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. The newly-crowned Bundesliga champions and German Cup finalists took the lead through Wirtz before the half-hour mark when the midfielder scored with a simple low finish, capitalising on a defensive error from the hosts. More to follow Continue reading...

Dortmund pip PSG 1-0 in first leg

Dortmund, May 2: Niclas Fllkrug scored and Borussia Dortmund earned a 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck sent a long pass over the top for Fllkrug to control brilliantly with his first touch before firing it past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with his [] The post Dortmund pip PSG 1-0 in first leg appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Rs 71.50 crore worth works under way for exposition of St Francis Xaviers relics

Panaji: The state government has taken up `71.50 crore worth works on road improvement, water supply, sewage and buildings for the exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa, which will be held from November 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025. The government has already set up a task force headed []

Mexico's Pemex exports 20,000 bpd of crude, fuel to Cuba in H2 2023

Mexico's Pemex exports 20,000 bpd of crude, fuel to Cuba in H2 2023 Mexico's state oil company Pemex exported about 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude and refined products to Cuba in the second half of 2023 through a company it owns, according to a filing this week to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said that his government would support Cuba however it can, and that the Communist-run island suffers from an inhumane and unjust blockade. Since July 2023, Gasolinas Bienestar ... our wholly-owned subsidiary, acquires crude oil and petroleum products from certain of our affiliates for export to the Republic of Cuba, Pemex said in the filing. The filing, which was first reported by Mexican newspaper El Universal, was published on Tuesday. Between July and the end of December, Gasolinas Bienestar exported 16,800 bpd of crude and 3,300 bpd of refined products valued at 6.3 billion pesos (some $400 million), Pemex said in the filing. Pemex did not provide details about these contracts or legislation referenced, nor did it respond to questions about whether exports have continued in 2024 or in what volumes - although independent reports suggest that they have not stopped. For months, the Pemex had denied that it was directly sending oil to Cuba, even through donations. In an appearance before lawmakers in October 2023, Pemex CEO Octavio Romero said that the state company had not made any donation of fuel to any foreign government when asked about shipments to Cuba. Romero did not mention in October whether there has been any economic compensation for the shipments to the island. Pemex did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why Romero denied the fuel exports to Cuba in October. Reuters has reported that oil shipments to Cuba began in April 2023. The reported sales by Gasolinas Bienestar were made using peso-denominated contracts and valued at market prices, Pemex said. The company added in the report that it has procedures in place to ensure such sales are carried out in compliance with applicable law. The Caribbean nation, crippled by U.S. economic sanctions, has diversified its sources of oil imports in an attempt to alleviate fuel shortages, replenish inventories and reduce dependence on its largest supplier, according to vessels tracked by Reuters. Venezuela remained its main supplier, while Mexico has emerged as a new provider, the data showed. The deals come at a time when Pemex has struggled with its own production. Its crude oil production in February hit its lowest monthly level in 45 years , as output remained far from the goals laid out by the outgoing president despite his support, including through capital injections and tax reduction.

TMC sharpens attack on Adhir over vote for BJP video clip

Trinamool accuses Chowdhury of backing BJP over TMC based on a video, sparking a clash with Congress. Mamata Banerjee alleges BJP-Congress collaboration, while Congress defends its stance and goals against BJP in the elections.

Aston Villa need night of heroics after El Kaabis hat-trick for Olympiakos

Aston Villas first major European semi-final since 1982 ultimately fell flat and unless Unai Emery can inspire a memorable turnaround in the port of Piraeus next week, his sides adventure will end in disappointment. Olympiakos stormed into a two-goal lead at Villa Park and despite Ollie Watkins pulling a goal back before half-time and Moussa Diaby restoring parity after the break, the Greek side roused again to run out 4-2 winners, Ayoub El Kaabi helping himself to a hat-trick. Continue reading...

Soccer-Iraq secure Olympic berth as Jasim's extra-time strike downs Indonesia

Soccer-Iraq secure Olympic berth as Jasim's extra-time strike downs Indonesia Iraq claimed Asia's third guaranteed spot at the Paris Olympics on Thursday with a 2-1 extra-time win over Indonesia that secured them a third-place finish at the Under 23 Asian Cup in Qatar. Ivar Jenner had given the lead to the Indonesians, who were looking to qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 1956, in the 19th minute with a low strike into the corner of Hussein Hasan's goal. But Zaid Tahseen's close range header eight minutes later levelled the scores, and it took until the sixth minute of extra-time for either side to find a winner when Ali Jasim struck. Iraq will join Japan and Uzbekistan at the Paris Games, while Indonesia retain one final chance to qualify when they take on Guinea in the French capital on May 9 in a playoff. Japan and Uzbekistan qualified by winning their respective U23 Asian Cup semi-finals on Monday and the pair meet in the competition's final in Doha on Friday.

Chalobah and Jackson hand Chelsea win over Spurs

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino secures league double over former club thanks to goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson.

Gangs in Haiti launch fresh attacks, days after a new prime minister is announced

Gangs in Haiti launch fresh attacks, days after a new prime minister is announced Gangs in Haiti laid siege to several neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince, burning homes and exchanging gunfire with police for hours as hundreds fled the violence early on Thursday in one of the biggest attacks since Haiti's new prime minister was announced. The attacks began late Wednesday in neighbourhoods including Solino and Delmas 18, 20 and 24 located southwest of the main international airport, which has remained closed for nearly two months amid relentless gang violence. The gangs started burning everything in sight, said a man called Nne, who declined to give his last name out of fear. I was hiding in a corner all night. He walked with a friend as they carried a dusty red suitcase between them that was stuffed with clothes the only thing they could save. The clothes belonged to Nne's children, whom he had rushed out of Delmas 18 around dawn during a pause in the fighting. The neighbourhoods that once bustled with traffic and pedestrians were like ghost towns shortly after sunrise, with a heavy silence blanketing the area except for the occasional bleating from a lone goat. An armoured police truck patrolled the streets, rolling past charred vehicles and cinderblock walls where someone had scrawled Viv Babecue, a reference in Haitian Creole to one of Haiti's most powerful gang leaders. People whose homes were spared in the attack in Delmas 18 and other nearby communities clutched fans, stoves, mattresses and plastic bags filled with clothes as they fled by foot, motorcycle or on colorful small buses known as tap-taps. Others were walking empty-handed, having lost everything. There were gunshots left and right, said Paul Pierre, 47, who was walking with his partner in search of shelter after their house was burned down. They couldn't save any of their belongings. He said the overnight fighting separated children from their parents and husbands from their wives as people fled in terror: Everyone is just trying to save themselves.'' Martineda, a woman who declined to give her last name out of fear, said she was left homeless after armed gunmen torched her home. She fled with her 4-year-old, whom she said tried to run away when the gunfire erupted late Wednesday. I told him, Don't be scared. This is life in Haiti,' she said as she balanced a heavy load of goods on her head including butter that she hoped to sell to make some money and find a new home. When asked to recount what happened overnight, she said: Gunfire, gunfire, gunfire everywhere! No one slept. Everyone was running. The attack occurred in an area controlled by Jimmy Chrizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who is leader of a powerful gang federation known as G9 Family and Allies. He and other gang leaders have been blamed for coordinated attacks that began on Feb. 29 across the capital, Port-au-Prince. Gunmen have burned police stations, opened fire on the main international airport and stormed Haiti's two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates. The attacks eventually forced Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign and led to the creation of a transitional presidential council whose majority unexpectedly announced a new prime minister on Tuesday: Fritz Blizaire, a former sports minister. The move is threatening to fracture the nine-member council, which was sworn in last week. As new leaders take charge of the country amid squabbling, Haitians are demanding that they prioritize their safety as gangs remain more powerful and better armed than Haiti's National Police. More than 2,500 people have been killed or injured from January to March of this year, a more than 50 per cent increase compared with the same period last year, according to the UN. Meanwhile, more than 90,000 people have fled Port-au-Prince in just one month as gangs that control an estimated 80 per cent of the capital have increasingly been targeting previously peaceful neighbourhoods. Ernest Aubrey recalled how he moved to Delmas 18 a decade ago. Now, he's leaving home for the first time. It's too much. We can't resist anymore, he said of the gangs. They are taking everything we own. As he walked with a heavy bag, he spotted an acquaintance leaving in a car and ran toward them to see if he could get a ride. One of the few people who opted to stay in Delmas 18 was Vanessa Vieux. While she sent her elderly mother to the countryside early Wednesday after the attack, she decided it was best if she didn't relinquish her home to gangs. Plus, she has faith in Haiti's National Police. I live next to a police officer, she said. That's why I'm not scared.(AP) RUP RUP

HC puts interim stay on ODP for Calangute, Parra, 3 other villages

Terms Legislator Michael Lobo A Major Beneficiary

The Chithirai festival in Madurai and the goat skin water bags of Kariapatti

The unique bags are used for spraying water on Lord Kallazhagar at Theerthavari. About 150 families of Kariapatti in Virudhunagar district buy the hide from the markets in Madurai, Virudhunagar, and Dindigul districts and start making the bags during the Tamil month of Thai. The work continues through Masi and Panguni

ISL Final: Kratky calmer as Mumbai City gear up for second big clash with Bagan

Dempo wont spend big, will make sensible investments on I-League return

Sanjeev Ahluwalia | Will Robin Hood taxes be the answer for India?

India's net direct tax collection surged over 19 per cent to Rs 14.71 lakh crore till January 11, reaching about 81 per cent of the full-year target. (Representational Image) India's net direct tax collection surged over 19 per cent to Rs 14.71 lakh crore till January 11, reaching about 81 per cent of the full-year target. (Representational Image) Behind the din of whether the Congress Party is likely, as alleged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to tax wealth and inheritance if it comes to power, lies the stratagem of signalling to the top 10 per cent of Indians, whose share in the national income surged from 45 per cent in 1981 to 64.6 per cent by 2023, that only the BJP lies between them and the deep sea of marauding socialists and other opportunists. It proved effective too by provoking the Congress, now lulled into a habitually reactive mode, to go all out to deny the allegation. The question is -- why did they bother? The share of Congress voters in the top 10 per cent by wealth is likely to be negligible. The BJP has been good for urban business, professionals and government servants who are the majority in this population segment. The Congress best shot at power, as of all other Opposition parties, is to tap the seething resentment amongst the have-nots. Farmers, workers and the minorities together are more than one half of the voters. The neatly devised Mahalakshmi scheme of the Congress manifesto targets 220 million poor via an assured direct transfer of Rs 0.1 million per year payable to the oldest woman in a poor family. This should cost around Rs 4.4 trillion (for 44 million poor families), or about 1.4 per cent of the GDP this year. At present this promise hangs in the air with no identified source of finance. Will this come at the expense of the Garib Kalyan Yojna, which now provides free food to 110 million people, which costs about Rs 2.05 trillion, and the end of cheap fertiliser costing another Rs 1.64 trillion? The alternative is to pancake it onto the existing welfare schemes, that will enhance the fiscal deficit from a projected, already high 5.1 per cent to an even more unsustainable 6.5 per cent. Are the BJPs dreams being countered with even bigger Congress dreams? Had the Congress acted true to its voter base, it could have proposed a new tax on wealth and inheritance. The share in wealth of the top one per cent (10 million) individuals increased from 12.5 in 1981 to 39.5 per cent in 2023 as per Bharti, Chancel, Piketty and Somanchi (2024). Marxist writers Patnaik and Ghosh assess the potential of a 2 per cent wealth tax and 33 per cent inheritance tax levied on this set at Rs 12.1 trillion in 2018. That the Congress shunned this bold approach reflects the dilemma of all middle-of-the-road parties. Politics and not economic theory drives tax policy in India. The politically docile, urban middle class is the only cash cow now available which spends more than one half its income on Union, state, or municipal tax compliance. Liberal capitalistic economic opinion warns that resurrecting wealth and inheritance tax is a distraction. India should instead focus on accelerating growth with fiscal stability, the benefits from which overshadow a tax funded redistributive tax policy. Far better, they say, to incentivise earning Rs 100 than to give the same as a tax-funded dole. Far better to incentivise new private sector jobs than to increase tax-funded expensive government jobs. There is merit in this argument. Sadly, the external conditions are not supportive. Global growth is low, which is sinking all boats. Automation, robotics, and AI are likely to squeeze human employment. Tax policy traditionally favours capital investment via tax rebates, rather than human capital development -- the key resource in a service-led economy. The wealth of an economy is the competitiveness of its workforce and the efficacy and resilience of its institutions, not the volume of land or physical and financial capital alone. An additional 300 million Indians will boost the population by 2060. Enhancing public expenditure for education and healthcare are, consequently, the surest way to dilute constraints on economic growth, with lightly regulated private industry and services generating new jobs. Memories are short in the social media age. India has a history of wealth appropriation. Ceilings on the ownership of land were imposed in the 1970s through state government-level legislation and surplus land was redistributed. In 1971, the privy purses -- guaranteed amounts under the Constitution, paid annually to the erstwhile hereditary rulers of colonial India in exchange for their voluntarily merging with India -- were terminated and judicial scrutiny of the Constitution-amending act barred under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Large-scale nationalisation of industry followed. No government since has implemented privatisation of Indias mammoth public sector, after Atal Behari Vajpayees 2000-2003 push floundered. In 1978, Prime Minister Morarji Desai of the Janata Party diluted the fundamental right to property, making it subject to legislated constraints. In 1985, the Estates Duty Act 1953, a quasi-inheritance tax, was abolished by Rajiv Gandhis Congress government. In 2015, the wealth tax of 1955 was abolished by Narendra Modis first government, citing low revenue performance. So, are new taxes on wealth and inheritance the answer to the twin problems of unfunded welfare and infrastructure needs -- the latter increased by the investment demands of the energy transition and low revenue collections of around 19 per cent of current GDP for Union and state government combined? This is a chicken and egg question. The generation of private, domestic wealth is a choice to defer present consumption for future gains via investment -- a significant input into economic growth. Bleeding the rich and the near-rich can reduce the incentive for savings-led investment in India. The establishment of the Gift City in Gujarat as an international financial hub insulated from the domestic economy only serves to preserve a part of the resultant value addition from international financial transactions, as do Singapore, London, or New York. The outward flow of domestic capital is still regulated. The INR is still a managed currency. Taxing wealth or inheritance can aggravate the undesirable, financial sub-culture of undercover operations, to stash wealth overseas in tax havens. Far better to make India a competitive and efficient economy first, which attracts more capital than it exports -- like the United States. Once this is achieved, imposing a wealth and/or inheritance tax to generate public resources and level the playing field across individuals becomes an option. More likely though, the process of making the economy competitive would automatically build human capital and create enough merit-based opportunities, making family wealth only a residual input into the future value of an individual. Social divisions like caste might also matter less. Till we get to Ram Rajya (good governance), populist, Robin Hood-style quick fixes can only score a self-goal.

Aston Villa v Olympiakos: Europa Conference League semi-final, first leg live

Conference League semi-final updates, 8pm BST kick-off Roma v Leverkusen: Europa League semi-final live Live scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And mail Taha Ive crunched the numbers and I believe Villa have five changes to the starting XI from their quarter-final second leg against Lille , including Robin Olsen replacing the suspended Martnez in goal. Olympiacos have two changes from their last-eight clash with Fenerbahce, with former Manchester City man Stefan Jovetic beginning on the bench. Another Olympiakos name familiar to Our League is Daniel Podence, on loan from Wolves, who starts. Just in case you dont want my company (your loss, but I wont take any *he sobs* offence). Continue reading...

Shivraj looks upon Vidisha to re-enter national politics

Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Bhopal: Sixty five is not the age to press the refresh button in ones career. But, sexagenarian BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a four-time chief minister, is bold enough to reset his goal in life at his current age to re-enter national politics. The never-say-die leader looks upon Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency, considered one of the saffron citadels in the country, in Madhya Pradesh to enter the lower house of the parliament after a gap of two decades in this poll by dumping his dream of clinging to state politics till my last breath. I accept whatever responsibility the party assigns to me, has been his constant refrain in his election addresses in Vidisha. Chouhan, known as a fitness freak, was replaced with two-time MLA Mohan Yadav as chief minister after BJP won a landslide victory in the November, 2023 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh. He was then kept in the dark about his future role by the BJP high command, leaving him frustrated. I would rather die than ask anything for me from Delhi (referring to BJP high command), he used to say while waiting for his suitable rehabilitation by the party. The party has then fielded him in Vidisha LS seat to move him to Delhi from state politics. I want to take him (Mr Chouhan to Delhi) with me, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently said while addressing an election meeting in the state where Mr Chouhan was present. Chouhan wasted no time to begin preparations for the polls as soon as he was declared candidate from Vidisha by BJP and started touring the constituency as if he is making debut in electoral politics. He had represented Vidisha LS seat five times earlier. Congress has fielded former MP Pratap Bhanu Sharma, a Brahmin, in the seat considering the sizable population of the community in the constituency. Willy Chouhan has created a ripple in Congress by successfully wooing the party veteran and former Union minister Suresh Pachouri, considered the Brahmin face of the grand old party in Madhya Pradesh, to join BJP to nip in the bud any move by it to play Brahmin card to wrest the seat from BJP. Around 2,000 Congress activists in Vidisha subsequently joined BJP following Mr Pachouris footsteps. Vidisha LS seat near Bhopal has always been considered a BJP stronghold, represented even by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1991) and Sushma Swaraj (2009 and 2014). The seat has remained with BJP since 1967 barring in 1980 and 1984 Lok Sabha polls when the incumbent Congress candidate was elected from the constituency. Besides the profile of the seat, Chouhan enjoys considerable influence over the women voters for undertaking various welfare schemes for them when he was the chief minister. Chouhan is eyeing the biggest victory in the polls in the state in Vidisha, a close aide of the BJP leader said.

UN says Gaza needs biggest post-war reconstruction effort since World War II amid truce talks

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: The United Nations said Thursday that the post-war reconstruction of Gaza would require an international effort unseen since the aftermath of World War II, estimating it could cost up to $40 billion . It came as Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh struck an optimistic tone over a possible truce and hostage release deal for Gaza, after weeks of largely stalled negotiations. There have been reports of sticking points between the militant group and Israel nearly seven months into the war that has devastated the Palestinian territory. But Haniyeh, head of the militant group's Qatar-based political bureau, said in calls to Egyptian and Qatari mediators that Hamas was studying the latest proposal with a positive spirit. Much of Gaza has been reduced to a grey landscape of rubble and the United Nations estimated the cost of reconstruction at between $30 billion and $40 billion. The scale of the destruction is huge and unprecedented... This is a mission that the global community has not dealt with since World War II, UN assistant secretary-general Abdallah al-Dardari told a briefing in the Jordanian capital, Amman. The UN official said, 72 percent of all residential buildings have been completely or partially destroyed. Reconstruction is made more difficult by the presence of large quantities of unexploded ordnance in the debris that Gaza's Civil Defence agency says triggers more than 10 explosions every week. The war started with Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel estimates that 129 captives seized by militants during their attack remain in Gaza. The military says 34 of them are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 34,596 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. 'Get this done' Mediators have proposed a deal that would halt fighting for 40 days and exchange Israeli hostages for potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners, according to details released by Britain. An Israeli official not authorised to speak publicly said Israel was still waiting for Hamas's formal response to the latest proposal. Before Haniyeh's comments on Thursday, Hamas officials had given it a generally negative reception. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told AFP late Wednesday that the movement's position on the proposal was egative for the time being. Another senior Hamas official, Suhail al-Hindi, said the group's aim remained an end to this wara goal at odds with the stated position of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But the militant group has come under intense pressure from mediators to accept the latest offer. Hamas needs to say yes and needs to get this done, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Israel on Wednesday during his latest Middle East crisis tour. As Hamas considers cease-fire, question hangs: Will Israel end war without the group's destruction? Mounting criticism Following talks with Blinken, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the prime minister doesn't have any political excuse not to move to a deal for the release of the hostages. Regardless of whether a truce is reached, Netanyahu has vowed to send Israeli ground troops into Rafah, despite US opposition to any operation that fails to provide protection for the 1.5 million civilians sheltering in Gaza's southernmost city. We will do what is necessary to win and overcome our enemy, including in Rafah, he pledged at the start of a cabinet meeting Thursday. Separately, Netanyahu told a delegation of Holocaust survivors that Jews should welcome but not expect non-Jewish support and should be ready to stand alone if necessary. If it is possible to recruit Gentiles, that's good. But if we don't protect ourselves, no one will protect us, he told the group at his office. The prime minister faces regular protests calling on him to make a deal that would bring home the remaining captives. On Thursday, protesters set up oversized photographs of women hostages outside Netanyahu's Jerusalem residence. In Tel Aviv, they again blocked a highway. Criticism of the war has also intensified in the United States, Israel's top military supplier. Demonstrations have spread to at least 30 American universities, with some protesters erecting encampments to oppose the rising death toll in Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog slammed the student protests , claiming that US universities had been contaminated by hatred and anti-Semitism. President Joe Biden said the United States was ot an authoritarian nation where we silence people but added that anti-Semitism had o place on US campuses. A mother's tears In response to US pressure, Israel has allowed increased aid deliveries into Gaza in recent days, including through a reopened crossing. But UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said that improvements in bringing more aid into Gaza cannot be used o prepare for or justify a full-blown military assault on Rafah. At south Gaza's largest hospital, the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, which was heavily damaged by fighting in February, foreign aid and borrowed equipment have helped to almost completely restore the emergency department, its director, Atef al-Hout, said. Witnesses and an AFP correspondent reported air strikes on Khan Yunis Thursday and shelling in the Rafah area, while militants and Israeli troops battled in Gaza City. In north Gaza, workers unloaded aid at Kamal Adwan Hospital, where Alaa al-Nadi's son lay motionless in the intensive care unit, his head almost completely swathed in bandages. Nadi, who was also wounded in the strike, said she feared the hospital's power might go out, cutting the boy's oxygen and killing him. I call on the world to transfer my son for treatment abroad. He is in a very bad condition, she said, breaking down in tears. Gaza war: Hamas official says group will lay down arms if independent Palestinian state is established

There has been UCC in Goa since independence: PM Modi

The News Mill

Hamas Delegation Departs for Egypt Cease-Fire Talks, Signaling Progress

Hamas Delegation Departs for Egypt Cease-Fire Talks, Signaling Progress Hamas said on Thursday that it was sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks, in a new sign of progress in attempts by international mediators to hammer out an agreement between Israel and the militant group to end the war in Gaza. After months of stop-and-start negotiations, the cease-fire efforts appear to have reached a critical stage, with Egyptian and American mediators reporting signs of compromise in recent days. But chances for the deal remain entangled with the key question of whether Israel will accept an end to the war without reaching its stated goal of destroying Hamas. The stakes in the cease-fire negotiations were made clear in a new UN report that said if the Israel-Hamas war stops today, it will still take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed by nearly seven months of Israeli bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza. It warned that the impact of the damage to the economy will set back development for generations and will only get worse with every month fighting continues. The proposal that US and Egyptian mediators have put to Hamas - apparently with Israel's acceptance sets out a three-stage process that would bring an immediate six-week cease-fire and partial release of Israeli hostages, but also negotiations over a permanent calm that includes some sort of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, according to an Egyptian official. Hamas is seeking guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal and complete end to the war. Hamas officials have sent mixed signals about the proposal in recent days. But on Thursday, its supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said in a statement that he had spoken to Egypt's intelligence chief and stressed the positive spirit of the movement in studying the cease-fire proposal. The statement said that Hamas negotiators would travel to Cairo to complete the ongoing discussions with the aim of working forward for an agreement. Haniyeh said he had also spoken to the prime minister of Qatar, another key mediator in the process. The brokers are hopeful that the deal will bring an end to a conflict that has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, caused widespread destruction and plunged the territory into a humanitarian crisis. They also hope a deal will avert an Israeli attack on Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people have sought shelter after fleeing battle zones elsewhere in the territory. If Israel does agree to end the war in return for a full hostage release, it would be a major turnaround. Since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack stunned Israel, its leaders have vowed not to stop their bombardment and ground offensives until the militant group is destroyed. They also say Israel must keep a military presence in Gaza and security control after the war to ensure Hamas doesn't rebuild. Publicly at least, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that is the only acceptable endgame. He has vowed that even if a cease-fire is reached, Israel will eventually attack Rafah, which he says is Hamas' last stronghold in Gaza. He repeated his determination to do so in talks Wednesday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Israel on a regional tour to push the deal through. The agreement's immediate fate hinges on whether Hamas will accept uncertainty over the final phases to bring the initial six-week pause in fighting and at least postpone what it is feared would be a devastating assault on Rafah. Egypt has been privately assuring Hamas that the deal will mean a total end to the war. But the Egyptian official said Hamas says the text's language is too vague and wants it to specify a complete Israeli pullout from all of Gaza. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about the internal deliberations. On Wednesday evening, however, the news looked less positive as Osama Hamdan, a top Hamas official, expressed skepticism, saying the group's initial position was negative. Speaking to Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV, he said that talks were still ongoing but would stop if Israel invades Rafah. Blinken hiked up pressure on Hamas to accept, saying Israel had made very important compromises. There's no time for further haggling. The deal is there, Blinken said Wednesday before leaving for the US. The Israel-Hamas war was sparked by the October 7 raid into southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. Hamas is believed to still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others. Since then, Israel's campaign in Gaza has wreaked vast destruction and brought a humanitarian disaster, with several hundred thousand Palestinians in northern Gaza facing imminent famine, according to the UN More than 80 per cent of the population has been driven from their homes. The productive basis of the economy has been destroyed and poverty is rising sharply among Palestinians, according to the report released Thursday by the United Nations Development Program and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. It said that in 2024, the entire Palestinian economy - including both Gaza and the West Bank - has so far contracted 25.8 per cent. If the war continues, the loss will reach a staggering 29 per cent by July, it said. The West Bank economy has been hit by Israel's decision to cancel the work permits for tens of thousands of laborers who depended on jobs inside Israel. These new figures warn that the suffering in Gaza will not end when the war does, said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner. He warned of a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come.(AP) RUP

Have you heard the one about Trump? Biden tries humor on the campaign trail

President Joe Biden is out to win votes by scoring some laughs at the expense of Donald Trump, unleashing mockery with the goal of getting under the former president's thin skin and reminding the country of his blunders.

Congress Vs BJP: Can PM Modi Deliver '400 Paar' Seats For NDA In Lok Sabha Polls 2024? | News18

Congress Vs BJP: Can PM Modi Deliver '400 Paar' Seats For NDA In Lok Sabha Polls 2024? | News18Lok Sabha Polls 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party is predicted to secure a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. However, it is unlikely to achieve its goal of surpassing 400 seats, as stated in its 'abki baar, 400 paar' slogan.

Football Daily | Emma Hayes long goodbye and the farewell tour narrative

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! A little over a month ago the Chelsea womens team were still in contention for a quadruple, but now the odds are massively stacked against them winning any shiny pots at all. It is a scenario that seemed utterly unthinkable when their charismatic manager announced in November shed be taking herself through the door marked Do One come seasons end, but on Wednesday night even Emma Hayes conceded it is one that is almost certain to come to pass . No stranger to adversity on and off the field, Hayes has suffered a series of setbacks since it was revealed she was off to take charge of USA USA USA. Always fond of an eff and a jeff on the touchline, blue has been the colour of the air over assorted technical areas in which she has stood watching her team get knocked out of three different cup competitions and all but relinquish their stranglehold on the Womens Super League title, capped by losing a seven-goal thriller at Liverpool. With the finishing line very much in sight, the WSL title like its mens equivalent is now Manchester Citys to lose. As an Ipswich fan of 50 years, the key achievement of the last two seasons is not breaking numerous goalscoring and points records, gaining one and potentially two promotions back to back on a meagre budget (by Championship standards) or playing swashbuckling football, but an article in Football Daily . Truly, this is the Promised Land Richard Bradshaw. Nearly choked on my cuppa when yesterdays Football Daily waffled on about Ipswich and talk of reaching the Premier League with back-to-back promotions. Big Website and the Daily never miss a chance to remind us of the fact football existed before the Premier League arrived and liberalised yet another national institution. But here you were making a few comparisons since the coming of the PL. What a load of cobblers. Northampton Town did it as well on their way to the old Division One, completing a round trip from the fourth tier and back in nine years Dave Gibson. Re: yesterdays Memory Lane, full email edition. Garry Birtles is far from the only European Cup-winning player to see their career stall at Manchester United. He just happened to be 40 years ahead of his time Ed Taylor. This is an extract from our daily football email Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions . Continue reading...

Private firms to organise train tours from Kerala to Goa, Mumbai, Ayodhya

Chennai-based firm that has taken trains on lease from Indian Railways will launch service on June 4 with a four-day package from Thiruvananthapuram to Goa

Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput's dynamic couple workout leaves fans impressed

They frequently make their fans swoon with their connection. Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput consistently serve couple goals, whether through their posts on social media or public appearances. Despite their hectic work schedules, the two keep their followers updated on Instagram. Mira Rajput's most recent post featured a snapshot from their combined gym session, and their admirers couldn't stop fawning about the two. Mira is seen snapping a selfie in the mirror while showing off her chic athleisure outfit. Behind her, Shahid is seen flexing his biceps. The couple is surrounded by fitness equipment. Miras caption read, You complete me, alongside a few emojis. Fans, as usual, were quite happy to see their favourite couple. One of them said, People who work out together, bond the most, while another stated, Goofy Shahid and sassy Meera. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mira Rajput Kapoor (@mira.kapoor) Some time back, Shahid posted a series of images with Mira Rajput where they are twinning in green. Shahid Kapoor captioned the photos: Mere Soneya. Fans were quick to notice, and called them a stunning couple. Meanwhile, Mira Rajput recently attended a star-studded GQ event in Mumbai, where she was pictured alongside her brother-in-law, actor Ishaan Khatter. Mira was spotted on the event's red carpet wearing a stunning orange gown. The gown had a plunging neckline, a cutaway pattern on the sides, and a stunning train. She posed surreptitiously for the cameras, with Ishaan watching from the sidelines. Also Read : Kunal Kemmus Comic Reaction to Shahid Kapoors Leaked Travel Plans: . Ek baat bata hum log

Kristi Noem calls dog shooting report fake news but insists on need to kill animal

Dog lover South Dakota governor said 14-month-old hound was extremely dangerous but failed to mention slowly killing a goat Kristi Noem, the governor of South Dakota whose chance of being Donald Trumps presidential running mate was widely deemed over after she published a description of shooting dead a dog and a goat , claimed reports of the story were fake news but also that the dog in question, Cricket, a 14-month-old wirehaired pointer, was extremely dangerous and deserved her fate. You know how the fake news works, Noem told Fox News. They leave out some or most of the facts of a story, they put the worst spin on it. And thats whats happened in this case. Continue reading...

Goa CM needs to change astrologer: Shashi Tharoor

Panaji, May 2: Reacting to a statement of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Congress senior leader Shashi Tharoor said on Thursday that the BJP CM needs to change his astrologer. CM Sawant during a corner meeting in South Goa on Wednesday night had said that the BJP would rule in the state and at the [] The post Goa CM needs to change astrologer: Shashi Tharoor appeared first on The Shillong Times .

UPSC Topper Hemant: A story of humble beginnings and honest effort

Determined to pursue his goal, Hemant embarked on the challenging journey of cracking one of the world's most difficult exams, despite having very limited resources.

Back By Popular Demand, Advertising Rocks Is Set To Electrify Goafest 2024

Mumbai:Following the success of its inaugural edition, Goafest 2024 is set to bring backAdvertising Rocks, an initiative that offers a unique platform for Indias Advertising, Media, and Marketing community to showcase their musical talents. Embracing the spirit of collaboration and innovation, the Organizing Committee invites solo performers to submit their entries. Selected participants will have [] The post Back By Popular Demand, Advertising Rocks Is Set To Electrify Goafest 2024 appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Goa's Excavation Unearths Stone Carving with Clues to Portugal's Colonial Ambitions

Goa's Excavation Unearths Stone Carving with Clues to Portugal's Colonial Ambitions Workers digging up a pavement in Goa capital Panaji came across a carved stone slab dating back to several hundred years, with historians saying it had links to the time when the Portuguese were building a new capital. In a social media post, historian Sanjeev Sardesai said a slab of stone/granite was found with the carving of a bearded man playing a harp/violin with a dog near his feet. It was found during excavation and refurbishment of the pavement just outside 'Barberia', a heritage barber shop, Sardesai said. As per his ''logical theory'', the carved granite slab was part of construction material from the decaying earlier Portuguese capital at 'Velha Goa' (Old Goa) that was transported during late 1700s to build the new capital or 'Nova Goa' (modern day Panaji), the historian claimed. ''There must be hundreds of such pieces discarded during the rebuilding process and buried at various places in Panaji. I know at least three such sites. Any artefact found in Panaji or Goa in general should be the proud possession of every Goan irrespective of faith or ideology as it was carved by a Goan back in time,'' he asserted. Nilesh Desai, Director of the state Department of Archaeology, said they have taken possession of the artefact and it would be sent for expert opinion for details about date etc. Historian Prajal Sakhardande said the artefact could be linked to the 'Paulists', missionaries from the Society of Jesus who worked to spread Christianity in Portuguese colonies. ''Jesuit missionaries arrived in Goa in the 16th century and they were followers of St Paul. From the headgear (of the artefact), the violin and the presence of dog in the sculpture, it is certain it is a statue of a Paulist,'' he said. From the carvings and the type of stone, the artefact dates back to the 19th century when Panaji became Goa's capital, Sakhardande asserted.

Trinamool Congress Accuses Congress Leader of Promoting BJP Agenda

Kolkata: A video clip allegedly showing Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suggesting it's better to vote for the BJP than TMC has sparked controversy in West Bengal. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned Chowdhury's statement, accusing him of lacking ideology and principles. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), an ally in the opposition bloc, strongly criticized Chowdhury's remarks, calling him out for promoting the BJP's agenda. Chowdhury's alleged statement surfaced during an election rally in Bengal's Murshidabad on Tuesday. The Congress party quickly dismissed the video as doctored and sought the intervention of the Election Commission. Jairam Ramesh, a Congress spokesperson, clarified that their primary goal is to reduce the BJP's influence in Bengal. He emphasized that although Congress and TMC are part of the INDIA bloc, they are not in a seat-sharing arrangement. The Trinamool Congress accused Chowdhury of being an agent of the BJP and held him responsible for obstructing the formation of the opposition INDIA bloc in the state. In response, Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accused Chowdhury of preventing the coalition to strengthen the BJP's position. The controversy comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in which the TMC won 22 out of 42 seats in 2019, while the BJP secured 17 seats, and Congress managed to secure only two seats. CBI Launches Probe into Alleged Land Grabbing by Trinamool Congress Leader in Sandeshkhali Nokia launches three new 4G feature phones, you can use many apps including Youtube at just this price Highway Section Collapse in Southeastern China: Death Toll Rises to 48

KaarTech: Spearheading Innovation with Uncompromising Financial Governance and Compliance, Eyes IPO in Near Future

KaarTech is a global leader in technology solutions, empowering businesses to thrive in a digital world through innovation, expertise, and unparalleled service. With a focus on driving transformation and delivering value, KaarTech enables organizations to harness the power of technology to achieve their goals and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

Champions League team of the week: Jadon Sancho is back to his best

The semi-finals kicked off with standout performances from a trio of Premier League loanees and two old hands rolling back the clock Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel, Borussia Dortmund From a small pool of goalkeepers, only Dortmunds Kobel kept a clean sheet. And if he could thank the post and bar for that on a couple of occasions a Kylian Mbapp special rattled the woodwork at one point he gave a solid performance in the Westfalenstadion. PSG rained 14 shots on Kobels goal, but none squeezed past. Kobel is the first Swiss keeper to play at this stage of the competition, and also showed off his skills with the ball at his feet. His reputation as one of the continents best is growing. Continue reading...

Five Pillars To Transform a Career Advancement Cell

By Mohit Singh, Director, Placements, Rishihood University. Graduating students pin their hopes of a great job right after college. And their placement cell is the most critical piece of the whole equation. If the cell falls short of expectation, careers may possibly be affected. So let me share my suggestions for how to make a placement cell overperform and become the darling of the graduating class! But first, a flashback. Embarking on a career in the placement team was a fortuitous twist of fate for me, an accidental navigator through the corridors of career advancement. My UG campus, with its flexible placement cell rules and regulations, guided me toward the best opportunities like the university entry scheme of the Army, Philips, and various healthcare corporations, a sequence of opportunities that initially filled me with joy but later sparked introspection as I was able to crack almost every opportunity. In hindsight, I began to question whether my acceptance of multiple job offers inadvertently deprived my batchmates of potentially life-changing opportunities. Without paying much heed to that thought, I started my career at Philips India in the healthcare division. Subsequently, I ventured into a bootstrap startup, which unfortunately succumbed to the challenges of securing the next level of funding. While exploring new opportunities, I unexpectedly landed a job as a placement officer at NIT Kurukshetra. Despite only meeting the basic eligibility criteria to join as a placement officer of NIT Kurukshetra, which required a minimum age of 24 and 5 years of work experience, I was able to secure the role. Although I had no prior experience in the placement industry, I managed to beat out other candidates and became the youngest placement officer in the NIT/IIT ecosystem. This was the start of my journey into the unknown. We took some bold steps immediately. Two key measures taken by our team at NIT Kurukshetra were to design a comprehensive one-year internship policy for M.Tech students and to introduce a six-month internship program for undergraduate students. Although met with skepticism initially, our decisions were backed by thorough market research and feedback from alumni and industry experts. Subsequently, I transitioned through various roles on different campuses, offering valuable insights into the contrasting dynamics of government and private institutions concerning the operation of placement cells. The data proved us right. There was a massive jump in the effectiveness of the placement cell. To distill the overarching lessons from my experience Id like to share Five Pillars To Transform a Career Advancement Cell: 1. Student-Driven Cell: Encouraging a culture where students take the lead in shaping their careers is essential. The team that drives these initiatives should be brimming with passion and enthusiasm to serve their peers equally. As the selection of unsuitable candidates can adversely affect the entire batch, students must approach this responsibility with utmost seriousness. However, their duty doesn't end with the selection process. They must represent the entire batch post-selection and approach their roles with a sense of duty and seriousness. By doing so, they can inspire their peers and contribute to building a better future for everyone. Your job: find these dynamos. 2. Corporate Readiness Modules: As I progressed further, I discovered that the key difference between an average college and an exceptional one, especially in terms of job placements, lies in the focus given to corporate preparedness programs in top-notch institutions. These institutions go above and beyond to ensure that their students possess the basic traits desired by employers. This strategic approach ensures that students are not just well-prepared, but also equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge required by leading employers. Your job: keep track of what new skills companies are looking for. 3. Continuous Feedback Mechanism: Success is within reach for those who establish a Continuous Feedback Mechanism, a vital yet often neglected element in many educational settings. It's disheartening to see that most institutions lack such a system. However, taking a proactive step by setting up a robust framework for collecting feedback from both students and recruiters can make all the difference. This systematic approach not only identifies areas for improvement but also drives the evolution of the placement process, ensuring its alignment with the constantly changing demands of the industry. Your job: take active feedback from the students and the recruiters. Dont take negative feedback personally. 4. Alumni Engagement: Alumni networks are a powerful tool that institutes can use to empower their students. By tapping into the vast wealth of knowledge and experience within this community, students can receive mentorship, guidance, and even potential job opportunities. By harnessing the strength of alumni networks, institutes can inspire their students to reach their full potential and achieve their dreams. Your job: put alumni on a pedestal. 5. Life Time Career Assistance Model: It's a unique and innovative approach to career development that helps you achieve your professional goals and aspirations at every stage of your career journey. With this model, you'll have access to personalized guidance, training, and resources that will help you stay on track and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Your job: keep track of the students you have placed and how theyre progressing. When it comes to building a strong career advancement cell, above mentioned fundamental components are crucial for success. These components, which I refer to as asic hygiene, serve as the foundation of a successful placement strategy and are essential for creating a thriving placement program.

Relationship Tips: You will be able to live with each other throughout your life, identify the right life partner in this way

Choosing the right life partner is a very important decision, as it affects many aspects of your life. The right life partner creates a happy family with you, in which both of you have common goals. He shares happiness and sorrow with you, as well as provides support in realizing your dreams. However, if the wrong partner is chosen to remain with you throughout your life, then life starts facing problems. The family is surrounded by more problems, sorrows, and disputes than happiness. In such a situation, choose a suitable life partner for yourself for a happy life after marriage. Although it is difficult to find out which person can be a better life partner for us, with some signs you will be able to understand what should be there in the right life partner and what should not be there. Understand character, not just appearance Often people pay more attention to their beauty while selecting their partner. Do not choose your partner just based on his/her looks, but understand his/her personality and decide based on whether he/she is worthy of becoming your life partner. Even if your partner is attractive and good-looking, if he/she has bad habits then it will be difficult to maintain harmony with him/her throughout life. Therefore, look not only at appearance but also at character. Try to understand the behavior While deciding on marriage, be sure to know about the behavior of your partner. Spend time with them before marriage, so that you can know how they behave. Is he a quiet person or a talker? Only after knowing how they behave in case of any problem and how positive they are about life, decide whether you can live with them for their whole life. Learn ideas To choose a right and good life partner, both of you must have some similarities. In most cases, a person is more attracted to a person with a personality different from his own, but both of them must have similar ideas or goals. Even if the ideas do not match completely, there should be some similarities or interests, so that there are no ideological differences throughout life. Respect is also important The person with whom you have to spend your entire life should have respect for you, and you should also have respect for him. Both respect and trust are important in a relationship. Therefore, check whether your partner respects you. There should not be much difference in standards Marriage is not for a day or two, it is a lifelong companionship. In such a situation, if there is a lot of difference in the lifestyle or standards of both of you, then it becomes difficult to bring them on equal footing or to live the same lifestyle. It can be difficult to maintain coordination with your partner as well as your family. Therefore, choose a partner whose lifestyle and standards are not much different from yours. (PC: Pexel)

India Emerges as a Global Tourism Powerhouse, Set to Join Top 10 Markets: Airbnb CBO

India Emerges as a Global Tourism Powerhouse, Set to Join Top 10 Markets: Airbnb CBO India is one of the ''fastest-growing markets'' for online accommodation hosting platform Airbnb and the country has the potential to be among its top 10 global markets in the coming years, according to its Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson. The company is investing in India to tap the opportunity of a rapid rise in tourists travelling to foreign destinations as well as domestic places that are rapidly growing post-pandemic and where 90 per cent of its first-time bookers are Gen Zs. ''It (India) is one of our growth markets and we see a huge opportunity for growth in India in the future. In India, nights booked grew by almost 30 per cent YoY (Year-on-Year) in 2023 compared to 2022, which is a positive sign,'' Stephenson told PTI. For Airbnb, India is going to be ''a large travel market'', where it has seen a ''strong desire'' among the ''Indian travellers to venture overseas as well as explore domestic destinations, especially those off the beaten path'', he said. Though, Stephenson did not any specific growth numbers but said India is a ''focus area'' and ''is one of our fastest-growing countries''. When asked as whether India figures among Airbnb's top 10 markets globally, Stephenson replied in negative. Further he said, ''It should be one of the top 10 markets. It is getting to be a large travel market and we definitely think it can be. That would be the goal.'' Airbnb is investing specifically in India, where a number of tourists travelling to foreign destinations as well as domestic places are on the rise post-pandemic and is supporting them to stay in its range of ''inexpensive homes all the way to luxe homes''. It has witnessed a whopping 75 per cent jump in international group travel bookings from India, where families/friends are going abroad for vacations. It has added features like the collaborative wishlist, where it is helping these groups find a perfect place. ''Indians are inspired by Cricket and Bollywood, and they want to explore the world. If they stay domestically, they are going to places like Goa and enjoying. But also, if they have the opportunity to travel abroad, they love to go to Italy and places that they're inspired by from the movies,'' he said. Currently, 90 per cent of its first-time bookers are Gen Zs. Moreover, Airbnb is supporting the inbound flow of international travellers coming to India. Airbnb is ''working closely with the government in their vision to make India one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world'', Stephenson said. It has partnered with the Ministry of Tourism and curated a dedicated microsite which spotlights heritage stays across India. It has also partnered with state governments of Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra, among others, to promote lesser-known destinations and conduct capacity-building workshops, he said. It is supporting individual homeowners to share their home, or a second home, enabling them to earn money out of their properties. ''We have supported over 85,000 jobs and contributed over USD 920 million dollars to the GDP of India just through our Airbnb activities,'' he said, adding, ''When people stay in Airbnb, they support the economy, the economies of the host and community they stay in versus staying in a hotel where the profits can go off to some corporation.'' Airbnb on Wednesday unveiled Icons, a new category of extraordinary experiences hosted by the greatest names in music, film, television, art, sports, and more. Among 11 global such Icons, it has selected the home of Chennai-based home of Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor, where she had spent her childhood, for a stay. 'Live like Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor' in India, offers stay in the home, which was owned by late actor Sri Devi, it said. This summer international destinations such as Milan (Italy), Amalfi (Italy), Tokyo (Japan), Rome (Italy) and Frankfurt (Germany) are trending in Airbnb search lists. According to Airbnb, Bollywood films and social media influencers have continued to contribute towards the growing popularity of Europe and Japan. Besides, Goa, Varkala in Kerala, Varanasi, Delhi and Kochi are among such domestic destinations, it added.

PREVIEW-Soccer-Juventus look to wrap up Champions League spot amid dismal run

PREVIEW-Soccer-Juventus look to wrap up Champions League spot amid dismal run Juventus have endured a terrible run, winning one of their last eight Serie A games, but victory at AS Roma on Sunday will be enough to book their spot in next season's Champions League with three matches left to play. Massimiliano Allegri's side, who missed out on European competition this season after they were docked 10 points last May in a case centred on the club's transfer dealings, saw their title challenge disintegrate due to a dismal drop in form. Yet Allegri's goal of returning them to Europe's elite club competition is now within touching distance. They sit third on 65 points from 34 games, behind champions Inter Milan and second-placed AC Milan. With Serie A having earned a fifth Champions League spot due to Italian teams' overall success in Europe, three points at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend would mean Juve could not drop out of the qualification places. They also face Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final on May 15, meaning they could yet end the campaign with a trophy, their first since they lifted the Italian Cup in 2020-21. I was always told nothing is certain in life, Allegri said after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Milan on Saturday, having celebrated his 300th Serie A match on the Juventus bench. I am very pleased with the work the lads have done. We were given two objectives this season, and we are very close to achieving both of them. Milan sealed their Champions League berth after Napoli drew 2-2 at home to Roma last weekend and they will hope to enjoy a less testing weekend when they host 12th-placed Genoa on Sunday, after facing Juventus and Inter in their previous two games. It is looking less and less likely that coach Stefano Pioli will still be in the job next season, with Julen Lopetegui a likely successor. Yet keeping hold of second spot in the table will allow Pioli, who led Milan to the title in 2022, to depart on a positive note. Bologna, on 63 points, secured their return to Europe after 22 years last weekend but Thiago Motta's side will hope to edge another step closer to their ultimate goal -- qualifying for the Champions League for the first time -- when they travel to 10th-placed Torino on Friday. Sixth-placed Atalanta visit already-relegated Salernitana on Monday before Napoli, in ninth, will look to maintain their slim hopes of reaching the European spots at relegation-threatened Udinese later that day. Champions Inter travel to relegation battlers Sassuolo on Saturday.

Skinologyy, Mumbai's top skin clinic is a one-stop destination for achieving flawless skin and hair

Beauty should be celebrated in all its forms. However, there is always room left to achieve the perfect form of beauty. In other words, everyone wants to have flawless skin. That's where the need for skin clinics comes into the picture. Especially in a city like Mumbai, there has been a high demand for those seeking flawless skin solutions. Meeting customer requirements, Skinologyy is a one-stop skin clinic founded by the highly-dermatologist, Dr. Shweta Vichare. The premier beauty and aesthetics clinic is located in Borivali. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for skincare, Skinologyy offers a comprehensive range of services to cater to all skin and hair needs. At Skinologyy, the focus is not just on beauty, but on the overall well-being of each client. With a team of experienced professionals and state-of-the-art technology, the clinic provides personalised treatments tailored to individual needs. From skin rejuvenation to hair restoration, Skinologyy offers a myriad of services designed to enhance natural beauty and boost overall confidence. Dr. Shweta Vichare, the visionary behind Skinologyy, is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to her patients. With years of experience in dermatology and a deep understanding of skin health, Dr. Shweta ensures that all treatments at Skinologyy are conducted with utmost precision and care. She states, At Skinologyy, our primary goal is to offer clients the flawless skin they've always dreamed of. Through our medical procedures and innovative treatments, we strive to achieve optimal results while prioritising the safety and well-being of our patients. Moreover, Dr. Vichare understands client needs and offers skincare treatments that are best suitable for them. One of the standout features of Skinologyy is its comprehensive range of services, which includes Body Diamond Polish, dermaplanning, lip neutralization, meso botox, fat crafting snail cream whitening facial, inch loss, prp medicated peels, medicated facials, hair transplant, liposuction, breast augmentation, microblading, electro muscle stimulator (EMS), laser hair reduction (LHR), medifacial, BB and CC glow and laser for hyper pigmentation melasma blemishes among others. Striving for excellence and paying minute attention to detail, the staff at Skinologyy are dedicated to ensuring that clients' experience is nothing short of exceptional, providing personalised care and guidance every step of the way. If you are conscious about your skin and want to achieve flawless skin, look no further than Skinologyy. As all treatments are done with safety measures, it's time to say goodbye to imperfections and welcome radiant and glowing skin under Dr. Shweta Vichare's expertise at Skinologyy. Booking of new Swift started before launch, check booking amount Maruti's Chutku EV surprised everyone! This car ran at a top speed of 200 kmph Kia Sonet achieved this milestone, sold 4 lakh vehicles in less than four years

Unveiling the Contemporary Dating Landscape: Exploring New Trends

Unveiling the Contemporary Dating Landscape: Exploring New Trends In the realm of romantic relationships, the landscape is constantly evolving. The advent of technology, shifts in societal norms, and changing attitudes towards love and intimacy have all contributed to the emergence of new dating trends. From virtual courtship to mindful connections, let's delve into the nuances of the contemporary dating scene. Picture Courtesy : DC Virtual Courtship: In an era where digital connectivity is ubiquitous, virtual courtship has become increasingly prevalent. Dating apps and online platforms offer individuals the opportunity to connect with potential partners from the comfort of their own homes. Video calls, text messaging, and social media interactions have replaced traditional face-to-face encounters as the initial stages of courtship unfold in the digital sphere. Slow Dating: Contrary to the fast-paced nature of modern life, slow dating emphasizes the importance of taking things slow and getting to know each other on a deeper level. This trend encourages mindful and intentional interactions, fostering genuine connections based on mutual compatibility and shared values. By prioritizing quality over quantity, individuals are redefining the dynamics of romantic relationships and eschewing the pressure to rush into commitment. Conscious Coupling: Conscious coupling involves a deliberate and introspective approach to dating, wherein individuals actively seek partners who align with their personal values, beliefs, and goals. This trend reflects a growing desire for authenticity and emotional compatibility, as people prioritize meaningful connections over superficial attractions. By engaging in open and honest communication, individuals are able to navigate the complexities of modern romance with greater clarity and purpose. Picture Source : DC Sustainable Dating: As environmental awareness continues to gain traction, sustainable dating has emerged as a conscious lifestyle choice for environmentally-conscious individuals. From eco-friendly date ideas to mindful consumption habits, sustainability permeates every aspect of the dating experience. By prioritizing sustainability, individuals not only reduce their carbon footprint but also cultivate a deeper sense of connection with their partners and the world around them. Solo Polyamory: In recent years, solo polyamory has gained recognition as a non-traditional approach to romantic relationships. Unlike traditional forms of polyamory, which often involve multiple partners in hierarchical structures, solo polyamory prioritizes individual autonomy and emotional independence. This trend challenges societal norms surrounding monogamy and encourages individuals to explore diverse forms of intimacy and connection without sacrificing their personal freedom. Hybrid Relationships: Hybrid relationships blur the lines between traditional categories of romantic partnerships, encompassing a diverse range of configurations such as open relationships, monogamish arrangements, and fluid partnerships. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the fluidity and complexity of human relationships, as individuals embrace flexibility and adaptability in their pursuit of love and fulfillment. Tech-Free Dating: In response to the pervasive influence of technology in modern dating, some individuals are embracing tech-free dating as a means of fostering more authentic and meaningful connections. This trend encourages unplugging from digital devices and embracing real-world experiences, allowing individuals to engage more fully with their surroundings and connect on a deeper level with their partners. In conclusion, the contemporary dating landscape is characterized by diversity, complexity, and evolution. From virtual courtship to sustainable dating practices, individuals are exploring new avenues of connection and redefining the norms of romance in the digital age. By embracing these emerging trends with openness and curiosity, we can navigate the complexities of modern dating with greater authenticity, intentionality, and fulfillment.

Beach Fashion: Show your beauty by wearing such clothes in Goa, everyone will praise you after seeing you

At some point or the other, you too must have planned to visit Goa with your friends. Many youth have even taken a trip to Goa with their friends. People who are not able to go to Goa with friends, often plan to visit Goa with their partner after marriage. Goa is a place where you need to take utmost care of your clothes. There are many beaches here. In such a situation, you cannot go to the beach wearing anything heavy. Boys show off their beauty by simply wearing shorts and T-shirt, but it becomes very difficult for girls to carry a stylish beach look. In today's article, we are going to show you the looks of some such actresses, from whom you can take tips while shopping to go to Goa. Krystal D'Souza To look glamorous on the beach, you can take tips from Krystle D'Souza's looks. This type of slit skirt and bralette-style top will enhance your look. Rubina Dilaik If you want to look cute then you can take a look at Rubina's looks. For this, you will only need a cute short dress like this. Don't forget to wear slippers on your feet and a hat on your head with such a dress. Anita Hassanandani Many girls like to wear shorts because it is very comfortable. In such a situation, you can carry a cute top and denim shorts by taking tips from the look of Anita. Surabhi Chandana Such a one-shoulder top and floral print slit skirt will help you look beautiful. If you wear glasses on your eyes with this, your style will look hot. Sonarika Bhadauria If you are going to Goa with your partner, then definitely take such outfits with you. Apart from a short dress, a red colored mini skirt and white colored transparent shirt will help you look glamorous. Jennifer Winget If you like to wear a bodycon dress, then you can carry a bodycon of light fabric like Jennifer. With this, keep your hair open and take special care of makeup. (PC: Instagram)

China, Hong Kong account for 56 pc of India 's total imports of electronics, telecom, electrical products: GTRI

India's imports of electronics, telecom, and electrical products surged to USD 89.8 billion in 2023-24, with over half of these imports coming from China and Hong Kong, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). China dominates with a 43.9% share, highlighting India's heavy reliance on these countries. GTRI emphasizes the need to reduce this dependency to enhance economic resilience and safeguard digital sovereignty. The report suggests strategic diversification of sources and boosting domestic production capabilities to achieve this goal.

How Cucumbers Propel Your Summer Weight Loss Journey

As temperatures rise and summer approaches, shedding those extra pounds becomes a common goal for many. While rigorous workouts and strict diets often steal the spotlight, there's a humble yet potent ally waiting in the wings: the cucumber. This refreshing and versatile vegetable packs a powerful punch when it comes to weight loss. Let's delve into how cucumbers can be your secret weapon in achieving your summer body goals. Hydration Hero: Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health and weight management, and cucumbers are a fantastic source of hydration. Composed of over 95% water, biting into a crisp cucumber is akin to giving your body a refreshing splash on a hot summer day. Proper hydration not only keeps you feeling full and satisfied but also supports your body's natural detoxification processes, aiding in weight loss. Low in Calories, High in Nutrition: One of the most remarkable aspects of cucumbers is their low calorie and high nutrient content. A single cup of sliced cucumbers contains merely 16 calories, making them an excellent choice for those looking to trim their waistlines. Furthermore, cucumbers are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients not only support overall health but also contribute to sustainable weight loss by promoting optimal bodily functions. Fiber-Rich Fuel: Fiber is a crucial component of any successful weight loss plan, as it promotes feelings of fullness and aids in digestion. Cucumbers are naturally high in fiber, with the skin containing a significant portion of this dietary roughage. By incorporating cucumbers into your meals and snacks, you'll not only satisfy your hunger but also support healthy digestion and regularity, crucial elements of any effective weight loss regimen. Metabolism Booster: Believe it or not, cucumbers may also help rev up your metabolism, making them an invaluable asset in your weight loss journey. They contain compounds known as cucurbitacins, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, cucumbers are rich in silica, a mineral that supports healthy connective tissues and may contribute to improved metabolic function. By including cucumbers in your diet, you're not only nourishing your body but also giving your metabolism a natural boost. Versatile and Delicious: One of the best things about cucumbers is their incredible versatility. Whether enjoyed on their own as a refreshing snack, sliced into salads, blended into smoothies, or used as a crunchy addition to sandwiches and wraps, cucumbers can be incorporated into virtually any meal or snack. Experiment with different culinary creations to discover new and exciting ways to incorporate this weight loss superfood into your diet. As you embark on your summer weight loss journey, don't overlook the power of cucumbers. These humble vegetables offer a myriad of benefits that can support your goals and keep you feeling refreshed and satisfied all season long. Whether you're savoring their hydrating crunch on a hot day or reaping the rewards of their nutritional prowess, cucumbers are sure to become a staple in your quest for a healthier, happier you. So, stock up on these green wonders and let them help you shed those pounds and embrace the best version of yourself this summer. These 5 Reasons Why You Should Drink Turmeric Milk Every Day

Why Zambias sharp-shooting Copper Queens wont leave military behind

Despite the teams rise on the global stage, players are often underpaid so look for opportunities in the armed forces Moving the Goalposts: sign up for our free newsletter Despite the increasing interest in Zambian players from clubs abroad after their impressive recent performances, which have helped the womens national team qualify for all major international tournaments in the past two years, including the Paris Olympics, there exists a desire among them to be recruited into the Zambian military. Earlier this month, three Copper Queens first-team players Margaret Belemu, Ochumba Oseke and Mary Wilombe graduated from Zambia air force training as noncommissioned officers. As a result they missed the Olympic Games qualifiers in February, having also missed the 2024 Womens Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualification round last November. Continue reading...

5 key observations of my Maruti Jimny during a recent Konkan drive

BHPian bj96 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Not a review as enough has already been said about Jimny in this thread. Just a few moments captured from my recent ride to Konkan, and a couple of observations.Small cabin and UV cut glasses helped auto climate AC, set at 25c, to keep us comfortable even at 44-45c ambient temperature in some sections e.g. near Mahad on the Goa Mumbai highway.12.9 km/l despite long ghat sections and the long weekend (city/toll) traffic.Start/stop can be easily controlled by modulating foot pressure on the brake pedal. No need to turn it off using the switch.Small footprint plus high GC meant we didn't sweat when Google directed us through the narrow lanes of Sangameswar bazaar and rural hilly terrains leading to Ganpatipule / Malgund.Enough space and engine grunt for two adults and one 14-year-old plus their weekend luggage. Was easily able to maintain triple digits when roads permitted.Delightful 5.7k kms on the odo so far (in ~4.5 months). Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

A Shining Beacon of Enlightenment: Assam Amulets Bridge Budhist Wisdom, Craft and Modern life

Dr. Ramala Sarma, a philosophy professor at Nagoan College in Assam, has embarked on a unique mission: to bridge the gap between ancient Buddhist wisdom and modern life, while simultaneously reviving a traditional Assamese art form. Her creation? The Assam Amulet, a line of handcrafted bell metal objects imbued with Buddhist symbolism. These beautifully crafted [] The post A Shining Beacon of Enlightenment: Assam Amulets Bridge Budhist Wisdom, Craft and Modern life appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .