Mumbai, Dec 14 (IANS) After he was released from Chanchalguda jail on Saturday morning, star Allu Arjun was welcomed with a tight and an emotional hug by his children and wife Sneha Reddy.
A video is doing the rounds on social media, where Arjun is walking into his residence and being greeted by his family
B’luru suicide: ‘Pour my ashes into gutter if harassers not found guilty’, reads goodbye letter
Bengaluru, Dec 11 (IANS) A part of the suicide note left behind by a 34-year-old man who ended his life here on December 9, besides
disclosing shocking details, also reveals his wish to get ashes poured into a gutter outside the court if those who harassed him are not found guilty.
Atul Subhas, 34, who was working with an automobile company here, allegedly committed suicide as a demand of Rs 3 crore was made for a divorce settlement. Subhash ended his life at his apartment in the
Mumbai, Dec 10 (IANS) The toll in the BEST electric bus tragedy toll climbed to seven dead and another 34 injured as it emerged that the driver at the wheel was
a rookie. Contrary to speculation by the locals and victims, the accused -- Sanjay More -- was, apparently, neither drunk nor was the vehicle defective but his blood samples have been sent for analysis.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the deaths and prayed for the speedy
members. In the clip, the actor’s children are seen running to him and giving their father a loving hug. His wife, Sneha, could be seen standing and as Arjun came up to her, she gave him a big emotional hug.
Allu Arjun stepped out of Chanchalguda Central Jail on
Singapore, Dec 12 (IANS) India's D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever World Champion in chess, beating Ding Liren of China in the 14-game match, here.
The 18-year-old from Chennai capitalised on a blunder by Ding in the winner-takes-all 14th
Lal Krishna Advani hospitalised at Delhi’s Apollo Hospital
The former Deputy Prime Minister and BJP stalwart was
Best bus crash: Toll reaches 7; rookie driver nabbed Allu Arjun holds on to
recovery of the injured victims.
“We shall provide a financial assistance of Rs five lakh to the kin of the deceased. I have ordered that the BMC and BEST bear the treatment expenses of all the injured persons,” said Fadnavis.
hospitalised late on Friday night.
The 97-year-old Lal Krishna Advani has not been keeping well for quite some time and was hospitalised for the fourth time in the last few months.
The reason for this latest hospitalisation could not be immediately known but doctors said that his condition is stable right now.
The former Home Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was conferred with the highest
civilian honour the 'Bharat Ratna' this year.
As the senior leader could not attend the ceremony organised at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, he was conferred with the award at his home.
Lal Krishna Advani is one of the founders of the BJP and a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Lal Krishna Advani was one of the torchbearers of the final phase of the temple movement when he started his Rath Yatra from
Mahakumbh 2025: ‘Netra Kumbh’ opened, to offer eye tests and surgeries for pilgrims
Prayagraj, Dec 8 (IANS) Crores of devotees are set to assemble for the world's largest religious event Mahakumbh beginning on January 13, 2025, on the holy banks of Sangam in Teerthraj Prayagraj.
Besides ensuring a robust pilgrimage framework for
pilgrims, the Yogi Adityanath government has placed strong emphasis on their health through the establishment of Netra Kumbh, a special initiative dedicated to eye care.
Spread over nine acres, Netra Kumbh targets will examine the eyes of more than 5 lakh devotees and distribute 3 lakh pairs of glasses simultaneously. Moreover, eye patients would also be identified during these examinations who require surgical interventions.
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) Veteran BJP leader, Lal Krishna Advani, has been hospitalised at Delhi's Apollo Hospital after his health deteriorated.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Dr Ram Mohan, Chairman
Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-in-Chief
EDITORIAL BOARD
Amrita Deshpande, Community News Editor
Paras Sharma, Assistant Editor
Dr Uttam Kumar Sinha, Senior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, India
Mr Shaun Star, Director, Centre for Australia India Studies, Jindal Global University, India
Allu Arjun holds on to ‘emotional’ wife, kids tight after release from jail
Continued from Page 1
Saturday morning after spending the night in the prison in the case relating to a stampede at a theatre during the premier show of ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’.
The actor, who was granted interim bail by Telangana High Court on Friday evening an hour after a lower court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days, had to spend the night in the jail due to delay in the prison authorities receiving bail orders.
The prison authorities released the national award-winning actor from the rear gate of the jail.
He was sent in an escort vehicle.
The actor drove straight to the office of Geeta Arts. He will arrive
at his residence in Jubilee Hills later.
Allu Arjun said after release from jail that he is a law-abiding citizen and respects the law, while promising all support to the family of the deceased person.
Talking to the media after reaching his house, he said he would cooperate with the law enforcing authorities and do the needful.
“I want to tell my fans that I am doing well. There is nothing to worry about. Thank you very much,” the actor said.
“It was very unfortunate. They went to watch the film and there was an accident. It was totally unintentional.
I am very sorry for whatever has happened.
It was purely out of my personal control,” said Allu Arjun, who was booked by police for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
A woman died and her son was critically injured during the stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premier show attended by Allu Arjun on December 4.
Police had registered a case under Sections 105 (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 118(1) (Voluntarily causing hurt) r/w 3(5) BNS against Allu Arjun, his security team and the management of the theatre.
Gukesh scripts history, becomes youngest World Chess Champion ever
Continued from Page 1
game to dethrone the champion, winning the match 7.5 to 6.5 and becoming only the second Indian to win the World Chess Champion.
By beating Ding, Gukesh became the 18th World Champion in the over century-long history of chess and the youngest after beating Garry Kasparov's record of winning the title at the age of 22 and heralding the arrival of a new king on the chess horizon.
Gukesh is the second Indian to win the World Chess Championship title, claiming the title in just over a decade after five-time Champion Viswanathan Anand had lost the title to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Chennai in 2013. Carlsen has abdicated the crown in 2023, paving the way for Ding to beat Ian Nepomniachtchi.
In a winner-takes-all 14th and final game of the World Chess Championship match Ding had steered towards a draw after starting with Reversed Grunfeld variation of Zukertort Opening,
the 32-year-old from China made a sensational blunder.
In an unexpected turn of events, when it seemed that the final game was going to end in a draw and the tiebreaks were unavoidable, the champion made a huge mistake, making a rook move that resulted in his bishop getting pinned in a rook-pawn ending with both players having one bishop.
Having battled it out for 13 games over three weeks, Ding was looking forward to the rapid and blitz tiebreakers as had effectively countered the aggressive tactics of the young Indian challenger to steer the game towards a drawish position.
"I was totally in shock when I realized I made a blunder” Ding explained in the post-game press conference.
Gukesh couldn’t believe his eyes when Ding Liren blundered 55.Rf2: “At the first moment I didn’t see that I was winning. When I realised that I was winning it was the best moment
of my life”.
It was so sudden that Gukesh initially did not see it and then nearly leapt out of his chair, took a pause, settled his nerves, exchanged the rook and bishop and Ding was forced to resign in 58 moves. "I have been dreaming of this for the last 10-12 years since I started playing chess and the only way to explain this is that I am living my dream. Firstly, thankfully to God as I am living a miracle and it could be possible only because of God," said Gukesh, who praised Ding Liren for the fight he put in this match despite not being in great physical condition. With this win, Gukesh pocketed prize money of $1.35 million (approx Rs 11.45 crore) while Ding Liren took $1.15 million (approx Rs 9.75 crore) from the total prize fund of US$2.5 million. Of the $1.35 million, Gukesh pocketed $600,000 (approx Rs 5.07 crore) outrightly by winning three games. Liren, by winning two games, won $400,000 (approx Rs 3.38 crore).
Best bus crash: Toll reaches 7; rookie driver nabbed
Continued from Page 1
A grim Deputy CM Ajit A. Pawar said that the matter is being probed in-depth and the culprit would not be spared in any manner.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aditya Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) Working President Supriya Sule, Congress Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders demanded a complete inquiry into the tragedy and the most stringent action against the culprit/s.
Jt. Commissioner of Police (L&O) Satyanarayan Chaudhary said the police are investigating the matter thoroughly including a medical examination of the accused and a
check on the ill-fated bus.
“We are probing in full detail, following proper legal procedures and then deciding accordingly,” Chaudhary told media persons there.
The chilling incident occurred around 9.30 p.m. in the crowded Kurla West market when More sped the bus and rammed into at least 25 vehicles spreading havoc in the area.
The ghastly accident by the crazily zooming bus occurred close to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Road near Anjuman-E-Islam School on the S.G. Barve Marg.
CCTV footage that came to the fore this morning showed scores of people screaming, running helter-skelter to safety from the
Lal Krishna Advani hospitalised at Delhi’s Apollo Hospital
Continued from Page 1
Somnath to mobilise support for the Ram Temple in September 1990.
On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the veteran leader's residence to extend birthday wishes. He also shared a photo on social media platform X in which he can be seen gifting a bouquet to the leader.
PM Modi had captioned the
photo, "Visited Advani ji's house to extend birthday wishes."
Prior to that PM Modi had said in a post on X: "Heartiest greeting to Advani ji on his birthday. This birthday is more special as the leader has been conferred with the Bharat Ratna this year. He is one of the respected leaders of the country who have dedicated their lives for the development of the country. I pray for his long and healthy life."
B’luru suicide: ‘Pour my ashes into gutter if harassers not found guilty’, reads goodbye letter
Continued from Page 1
early hours of Tuesday, leaving behind a 90-minute video and a 40-page-long death note, explaining how harassment by his wife Nikita Singhania and her family compelled him to take the extreme step.
The note left by him read: "If the court decides that the corrupt judge and my wife and other harassers are not guilty, then pour my ashes into some gutter outside the court. Don't do my 'asthi visarjan' till my harassers get punished."
However, the family collected the asthi from the Bengaluru crematorium on Wednesday where Atul’s final rites were conducted. The family stated that the ashes would be taken to Patna, from where the family originally hails from and it will be immersed into the river as per the traditions.
The suicide note, under the headline "Justice is Due", addressing his 2-year-old child, read: "Now with me gone, there
will not be any money to loot and I hope that they might start to look at the facts of the cases. Someday, you shall know the real face of your mother and her greedy family.
"I pray that they don’t devour you and your soul. I often laugh when I remember that I started saving money for a car when you go to college. Silly me. Remember this always that you don't owe anything to anyone. Don’t trust the system.
"Both – the society and system want to feed off you. If my blood wins in you, you shall live, love and fight with all your heart and craft beautiful things and destroy problems with your mind. May you live with the confidence and pride I lived with. May you not turn out to be a socialist or communist leach which is the highest form of corruption i.e. corruption of soul. Goodbye, my son!"
Atul Subhash further listed out his last wishes in the note.
Mahakumbh 2025: ‘Netra Kumbh’ opened, to offer eye tests and surgeries for pilgrims
Continued from Page 1
They will be facilitated to undergo free operations at hospitals near their homes.
monstrous vehicle that left parked or moving autorickshaws, twowheelers, private cars and even a police van stationed there.
The BMC Disaster Control said at noon that the accident snuffed out seven lives and another 34 injured, including a few seriously, are undergoing treatment in different hospitals.
The air-conditioned bus, wetleased by the BMC, was attached to the Kurla Bus Depot and was proceeding towards Sakinaka in Andheri East when the mayhem took place.
The bus with around seven commuters, wreaked havoc for nearly 500 metres before it rammed into a shop and reached an abrupt halt as angry pedestrians rushed to catch More.
This will be possible because of state govt inking agreements with more than 150 hospitals across the country.
Kavindra Pratap Singh, chairman of the organising committee of Netra Kumbh, emphasised that for the first time in Mahakumbh history, patients referred by doctors for eye surgeries will be able to receive free operations at a hospital in their home district.
"After examination, patients will receive referral cards, one of which will be sent to the respective hospital while the other will go to Saksham, the organising body of Netra Kumbh. Patients or Saksham workers can coordinate the surgeries based on convenience, both during and after the fair," he added.
Kavindra Pratap Singh described Mahakumbh as "symbol of social harmony" and highlighted that Netra Kumbh represents a "mass eye treatment Mahayagna" aimed at addressing vision-related issues among devotees.
He confirmed that doctors from the Indian Army would also volunteer their services free of cost, offering free examinations, medicines, and refreshments to eye patients.
Netra Kumbh was first organised in 2019 and since then has grown substantially. During the 2019 Kumbh, the event entered the Limca Book of World Records by providing glasses to 1.5 lakh people and examining 3 lakh patients.
This year, the scale of Netra Kumbh is expected to break the previous records, becoming the largest event of eye examinations and glasses distribution in any religious or medical event worldwide.
Springfield: A beacon of innovation in the education sector
Nestled in the southeastern corner of Queensland, Springfield has emerged as a shining example of urban planning and educational development.
Over the past two decades, this master-planned community has prioritized education, building an ecosystem that fosters innovation, lifelong learning, and excellence. Today, Springfield is celebrated not only for its modern infrastructure but also for its significant contributions to the education sector in Queensland and beyond.
Visionary beginnings
Springfield’s journey began in the early 1990s when its developers envisioned a community that integrated education at its core. The vision was ambitious yet clear: to create a city where residents would not have to leave their community to access world-class educational facilities. This vision materialized with the establishment of various institutions catering to learners of all ages, from early childhood to higher education.
Early childhood and school education
Springfield’s emphasis on education begins at the grassroots level. With a network of stateof-the-art childcare centers, the community ensures that children receive a strong foundation.
Schools such as Springfield Central State School and Springfield Lakes State School are recognized for their modern facilities and innovative teaching approaches.
Private institutions like St. Peters Lutheran College Springfield and Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School further enrich the local education landscape. These schools are renowned for their focus on holistic development, blending academics with extracurricular activities to nurture well-rounded individuals.
The Springfield Central State High School, known for its highperformance culture, regularly ranks among Queensland's top schools. Offering diverse programs, including vocational training and academic excellence initiatives, it prepares students for both university and industry pathways.
Higher education hub
One of Springfield’s most remarkable contributions to the education sector is its role as a higher education hub.
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield campus stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to tertiary education. Equipped with cutting-edge facilities, including advanced laboratories and digital learning spaces, the campus
attracts students from across the region.
USQ Springfield specializes in programs tailored to industry needs, such as engineering, IT, and health sciences. Its research initiatives, particularly in fields like sustainable energy and digital technology, contribute to addressing global challenges. The university’s close collaboration with local businesses ensures that students graduate with practical skills and experience, bridging the gap between education and employment.
The role of technology in education
Springfield has leveraged technology to transform education. The community boasts Australia’s first highspeed broadband network, enabling seamless digital learning experiences.
Institutions in Springfield have integrated technology into their curriculums, embracing tools like virtual classrooms, interactive whiteboards, and AI-driven learning platforms.
The Springfield Anglican College, for example, is a leader in digital education, encouraging students to develop 21st-century skills. Similarly, Springfield Central State High School offers specialized programs in robotics and coding, preparing students
for careers in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
Beyond traditional learning Springfield's educational contributions extend beyond conventional classrooms. The city is home to various training institutes, including TAFE Queensland, which provides vocational courses in areas such as hospitality, construction, and healthcare. These programs cater to the diverse needs of the community, equipping individuals with job-ready skills.
The city also promotes lifelong learning through initiatives like the Springfield Learning Coalition. This collaborative platform brings together educators, businesses, and community leaders to develop innovative strategies for education and skill development.
Education as a community pillar Springfield’s emphasis on education has far-reaching effects on the community. Families are drawn to the area for its reputation as an educational hub, driving population growth and economic development. This influx of residents has, in turn, created a vibrant, multicultural community where ideas and opportunities flourish.
contribute to the broader community. Many schools and universities engage in outreach programs, partnering with local organizations to address social challenges and support underprivileged groups.
A model for future cities Springfield’s success in the education sector offers valuable lessons for other cities. Its integrated approach—combining urban planning with a focus on learning—demonstrates the power of investing in education as a cornerstone of development. The city’s educational institutions not only meet the needs of today’s learners but also anticipate the demands of the future. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and inclusion, Springfield has set a benchmark for what a modern education city can achieve.
Springfield stands as a beacon of educational excellence, showcasing the transformative potential of visionary planning. From early childhood education to cutting-edge research at the university level, Springfield has created an ecosystem that empowers learners and drives progress. Its contributions to the education sector will undoubtedly inspire future generations and continue to shape the landscape of learning in Queensland and beyond.
A city with pioneering technological innovation
Springfield, a master-planned community located just 26 kilometers from Brisbane, is fast becoming a hub for technological innovation and growth. Over the past two decades, Springfield has transformed itself into a model city that blends smart infrastructure, sustainable living, and cutting-edge technology. Its focus on integrating technology into every aspect of urban development has not only positioned it as a leader in the field but also as a community where innovation thrives.
A visionary foundation
The foundation of Springfield was laid with a bold vision: to create a city of the future driven by technology, education, and health. From the outset, its developers embraced digital transformation as a core element of growth. Today, Springfield embodies this vision, with a technology-driven ecosystem that fosters creativity, entrepreneurship, and progress. Smart city infrastructure Springfield's commitment to technology begins with its infrastructure. As Australia’s first privately built city, it was designed from the ground up to incorporate smart city principles. This includes an extensive fiberoptic network, enabling highspeed internet access across the entire city. The network supports a range of digital services, making Springfield one of the most
connected urban areas in the country.
Energy efficiency is another cornerstone of Springfield’s infrastructure. The city incorporates smart grid technology to manage energy consumption effectively, with a focus on renewable energy sources. These innovations not only reduce the city’s carbon footprint but also serve as a model for sustainable urban living.
Technology in education Springfield’s approach to technology extends deeply into education. The city is home to the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield campus, which specializes in programs like IT, engineering, and data analytics. USQ's advanced laboratories and digital learning tools equip students with the skills needed to excel in technology-driven industries. Springfield’s schools also embrace technological integration, offering students access to robotics, coding, and STEM programs. Institutions like Springfield Central State High School and The Springfield Anglican College actively promote digital literacy, preparing the next generation for careers in tech. A thriving innovation ecosystem Springfield has cultivated an environment where startups
and established companies can flourish. The city’s innovation hubs, such as Fire Station 101, provide co-working spaces, mentorship, and resources for entrepreneurs to develop and scale their ideas. These hubs have become breeding grounds for tech-driven startups in fields like artificial intelligence, app development, and e-commerce. Springfield’s proximity to Brisbane also makes it an attractive location for businesses seeking access to major markets while benefiting from a collaborative and cost-effective environment.
Excelling in healthcare technology
The integration of technology into healthcare is another area where Springfield shines. The Mater Private Hospital Springfield, a state-of-the-art medical facility, uses advanced technology for diagnostics, patient care, and telemedicine. The hospital collaborates with local universities and research institutions to explore innovations in health informatics and digital health. Moreover, Springfield is investing in health precincts that combine research, education, and clinical practice. These initiatives aim to address global health challenges through technological solutions, from wearable devices to AIdriven diagnostics.
Springfield’s technology park
A key contributor to Springfield’s technological prominence is its dedicated Technology Park, which hosts a mix of tech companies and research organizations.
The park fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government, driving advancements in areas such as cybersecurity, renewable energy, and smart manufacturing.
The Technology Park also supports businesses in developing solutions for realworld challenges, aligning closely with global trends in innovation. Its strategic location and access to skilled talent make it a cornerstone of Springfield’s tech ecosystem.
Community engagement through technology
Springfield’s use of technology isn’t limited to business and education—it extends into the community. The city leverages smart applications for public services, from traffic management to waste collection, enhancing residents’ quality of life. Smart lighting, digital kiosks, and automated public transport systems are just a few examples of how Springfield integrates technology into everyday life.
Community events and workshops hosted by organizations like the Springfield Learning Coalition ensure that
residents stay informed about emerging technologies. These initiatives empower individuals to embrace and benefit from the digital age.
A model for future cities Springfield’s focus on technology serves as a blueprint for other urban centers. Its integrated approach to smart infrastructure, education, and business development showcases how technology can be harnessed to build resilient and forwardthinking communities.
The city’s success lies in its ability to balance technological advancement with sustainability and inclusivity. By fostering collaboration among residents, businesses, and institutions, Springfield has created a dynamic environment where innovation thrives.
Springfield, is more than just a city; it is a living lab for technological progress. Its contributions to the field of technology, from smart infrastructure and education to healthcare and innovation hubs, have positioned it as a leader in Australia’s digital transformation journey. As Springfield continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of technological advancement, inspiring cities around the world to follow its example.
A trailblazer in sustainable urban development
Springfield is not just a testament to visionary urban planning but also a shining example of sustainable development.
As Australia’s first privately built city, Springfield has integrated sustainability into its blueprint, becoming a model for eco-friendly living. Beyond its advancements in education and technology, Springfield’s contributions to sustainability stand as one of its greatest achievements, setting a benchmark for other urban centers worldwide.
The foundation of a green city From its inception in the 1990s, Springfield was designed with sustainability at its core. Its master plan emphasized the balance between urbanization and environmental preservation, aiming to create a livable, efficient, and green city. Today, Springfield’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its infrastructure, energy initiatives, green spaces, and community programs.
A commitment to green spaces
One of Springfield’s most notable features is its abundant green spaces. Over 30% of the city’s
2,860 hectares is dedicated to parks, nature reserves, and recreational areas. These spaces not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the city but also contribute to the well-being of its residents by promoting outdoor activities and connecting people with nature.
The Robelle Domain Parklands, spanning over 24 hectares, is the crown jewel of Springfield’s green initiatives. This vast public space features walking and cycling tracks, water play areas, and picnic spots, offering residents and visitors a sustainable way to unwind. Its innovative use of natural resources, such as recycled water for irrigation, reflects Springfield’s ecoconscious philosophy.
Energy efficiency and renewable resources
Springfield is a pioneer in adopting renewable energy solutions. The Greater Springfield community has committed to becoming a net-zero energy city by 2038, an ambitious goal that underscores its dedication to combating climate change. This initiative focuses on integrating renewable energy sources, smart
grid technologies, and energyefficient practices across the city.
The Springfield City Group, the city’s developer, has partnered with major energy companies to build solar farms and promote the use of clean energy in households and businesses. These efforts not only reduce the city’s carbon footprint but also encourage residents to embrace sustainable living.
Smart water management
Water conservation is a critical component of Springfield’s sustainability agenda. The city has implemented innovative water management systems to optimize usage and minimize waste. Recycled water is used extensively for irrigation and industrial purposes, ensuring that valuable potable water resources are preserved.
Springfield’s stormwater management systems are designed to protect local waterways and reduce flooding. By incorporating natural filtration methods, such as vegetated swales and retention basins, the city ensures that runoff is treated before it enters rivers and streams.
Sustainable transportation
Transportation is another area where Springfield excels in sustainability. The city’s urban design prioritizes walkability and cycling, with an extensive network of footpaths and bike trails. Public transport options, including bus and rail services, are seamlessly integrated into the city’s layout, reducing reliance on private vehicles.
Springfield’s proximity to the Brisbane CBD, coupled with its efficient transportation infrastructure, encourages carpooling and the use of electric vehicles. Charging stations for electric cars are strategically located throughout the city, further promoting eco-friendly commuting.
Sustainable housing and urban design
Springfield’s housing developments are a model of sustainable urban design. Homes and commercial buildings in the city incorporate energy-efficient features, such as solar panels, LED lighting, and smart home systems. The use of sustainable construction materials minimizes environmental impact while ensuring durability and costefficiency.
The city’s master plan also emphasizes mixed-use development, where residential, commercial, and recreational spaces coexist. This reduces urban sprawl and promotes a sense of community, allowing residents to live, work, and play within a compact area.
Community engagement in sustainability
Springfield’s success in sustainability is not just due to
its infrastructure but also its community-driven initiatives. Programs like tree-planting drives, recycling workshops, and sustainability awareness campaigns empower residents to take an active role in preserving the environment.
Local schools and businesses collaborate on eco-projects, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. Events like Earth Day celebrations and eco-fairs further reinforce Springfield’s commitment to creating a greener future.
A global example Springfield’s approach to sustainable development has garnered international recognition. Urban planners and policymakers from around the world visit Springfield to study its innovative practices and incorporate similar strategies in their own cities.
The city’s ability to blend rapid urbanization with environmental stewardship serves as a blueprint for future developments. By proving that growth and sustainability can coexist, Springfield inspires other communities to prioritize ecofriendly practices.
Springfield has set a remarkable example of how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into urban planning. Its contributions to green living, renewable energy, and eco-conscious community building extend far beyond its borders, influencing cities globally. As Springfield continues to grow, its commitment to sustainability ensures that it remains not only a thriving urban center but also a beacon of hope for a greener, more sustainable future.
Adani to finance Sri Lankan Port project on its own, withdraws request for US DFC funding
Mumbai, Dec 10 (IANS) The Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) Ltd on Tuesday said it will use its own resources to fund a Sri Lankan port project and not seek US funding.
In a stock exchange filing, Adani Ports said the project "is on track for commissioning by early next year”.
“We would like to inform that Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) project in Sri Lanka is progressing well and is on track for commissioning by early next year,” said the flagship Adani Group company.
“The project will be financed
through the company’s internal accruals and capital management plan. We have withdrawn our request for financing from the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC),” it added.
In November last year, the US International Development Finance Corp agreed to provide a $553 million loan to support the development, construction, and operation of CWIT at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
The CWIT is being developed by a consortium of Adani Ports, Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings Plc, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).
The CWIT project was started in September 2021, when Adani Ports signed an agreement with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings, pledging
over $700 million to expand the capabilities of Colombo Port.
The CWIT will be Sri Lanka's largest and deepest container terminal, with a quay length of 1,400 metres and an alongside depth of 20 metres.
The Port of Colombo is the largest and busiest trans-shipment port in the Indian Ocean and it has been operating at more than 90 per cent utilisation since 2021, signalling its need for additional capacity.
The new terminal will cater to growing economies in the Bay of Bengal, taking advantage of Sri Lanka's prime position on major shipping routes and its proximity to these expanding markets.
The annual cargo handling capacity of this new terminal is likely to exceed 3.2 million.
Adani Green fastest wealth creator, Adani Enterprises best all-round wealth creator: MOFSL
Mumbai, Dec 10 (IANS) Adani Green has emerged as the fastest wealth creator during the fiveyear period (2019-March 2024), with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 118 per cent, a Motilal Oswal Financial Services Limited (MOFSL) study showed on Tuesday.
According to the ‘29th Motilal Oswal Annual Wealth Creation Study,” Rs 10 lakh invested in 2019 in the top ‘10 Fastest Wealth Creators’ would be worth Rs 1.75 crore in 2024, a return CAGR of 77 per cent compared to 14 per cent for Nifty 50.
Adani Enterprises became the
‘Best All-round Wealth Creator’ for the third time in a row.
"We define all-round wealth creators based on the summation of ranks, under each of the three categories – Biggest, Fastest and Consistent. Where the scores are tied, the stock price CAGR decides the All-round rank.
Based on the above criteria, Adani Enterprises has emerged as the Best All-round Wealth Creator," the MOFSL study said.
During 2019-2024, the top 100 wealth creators of India Inc created wealth of Rs 138 lakh crore. The pace of Wealth Creation was at 26 per cent CAGR, well higher than the BSE Sensex return of 14 per cent.
The study defined consistent wealth creators based on the number of years the stock has outperformed in each of the last 5 years.
"Where the number of years is
the same, the stock price CAGR decides the rank. Based on this, over 2019-2024, the relatively lowprofile Linde India has emerged as the Most Consistent Wealth Creator. It has outperformed the Nifty Total Return Index in all the last 5 years, and has the highest price CAGR of 68 per cent," according to the study.
The financial sector emerged as the largest wealth-creating sector, ahead of technology and utilities in the reported period.
Public sector undertakings (PSUs) wealth creation performance during 2019-2024 is a significant improvement over the last three studies -- 20 PSUs accounted for a healthy 17 per cent of wealth created.
"The key factors driving PSU wealth creation are the profit of 9 financial companies rising 19 times over 5 years and the profit of Coal India rising 4 times over 5 years," the study noted.
Adani Krishnapatnam Port gets govt’s nod for importing petroleum till March 1, 2026
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has extended the permission given to the Adani Group’s Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh for importing petroleum through the sea route till March 1, 2026.
The government order states that the Central Government “in consideration of the necessity to import petroleum in public interest, hereby extends the
notification for Krishnapatnam Port (Adani Krishnpatnam Port Ltd) in Andhra Pradesh for importing petroleum into India by sea in accordance with operations permitted in Navigational Safety at Ports Committee certificate for the period August 25, 2024 to March 1, 2026.”
Shares of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ) gained more than 1 per cent on Monday due to the permission given to the company to continue petroleum imports till 2026.
Adani Krishnapatnam Port had, in August this year, launched an advanced cargo handling system to enhance its existing capacity and productivity.
Adani Defence hands over 2nd Drishti-10 drone to Indian Navy to enhance maritime security
New Delhi, Dec 4 (IANS) In a bid to boost the country’s maritime surveillance capabilities, Adani Defence and Aerospace has handed over a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy.
Drishti 10 Starliner drone or UAV, manufactured by Adani Defence and Aerospace which is part of the Adani Group in Hyderabad, is an advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform with 36 hours of endurance and 450-kg payload capacity.
According to sources close to the development, the induction of the second UAV, a version of Israel's Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, into naval maritime operations was initiated at Porbandar in Gujarat.
The first Drishti-10 drone was delivered to the Indian Navy earlier this year.
This marks the first-ever integration of such advanced payload suites onto a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platform, enabling the Indian Navy with differentiated capabilities to dominate maritime surveillance. MALE is a type of
UAV that can fly at altitudes of 10,000 to 30,000 feet.
Adani Defence previously delivered the Drishti-10 Starliner to the Indian Army in June this year. The Army will deploy it at its Bhatinda base in Punjab, from where it can keep an eye on the western border with Pakistan.
Drishti-10 Starliner is the only unmanned military platform with NATO ‘STANAG 4671’ certification, which allows military UAVs to operate in other NATO members' airspace.
It has four hard points on wings, and a large internal bay for special missions. Drishti-10 Starliner provides over the horizon, persistent multipayload, fully autonomous capabilities and SATCOM-based operations.
It is the country’s only indigenous UAV, operating reliably above 32,000 feet with large payloadcarrying capacity and distinctively long endurance.
Adani Defence and Aerospace boasts several 'firsts' to its credit – from being India’s first private sector military UAV manufacturer exporting to global markets, to establishing India's first private small arms manufacturing facility, and the country’s first private sector ammunition player, thus nurturing a domestic defence ecosystem.
Adani Group to invest Rs 7.5
lakh crore in Rajasthan towards key infra projects
Jaipur, Dec 9 (IANS) The Adani Group on Monday announced investments of Rs 7.5 lakh crore in Rajasthan over the next five years to fund several key infrastructure projects.
The new systems will streamline the management of both containerised and bulk cargo and are set to revolutionise cargo operations at the port and deliver efficiency and reliability, the private port operator said in a statement, the Adani Group had announced.
The new cargo handling system uses advanced technology to boost efficiency and cargo throughput with key features such as automated tracking, real-time data analysis, and improved logistics coordination, enhancing speed, accuracy, safety, and reducing costs, according to a company statement.
Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones (APSEZ), said that four new cement plants will be set up in the state.
“The Adani Group will invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore in different sectors in Rajasthan. As much as 50 per cent of this investment will be made in the next five years. In this, we will develop a green energy ecosystem. Apart from this, world-class development work will also be done at Jaipur airport,” Karan Adani said during the 'Rising Rajasthan Investor Summit 2024' here.
"We plan to build here the world’s biggest integrated green energy ecosystem involving 100 GW of renewable energy, 2 million tonnes of hydrogen and 1.8 GW
of pumped hydro storage. These investments will turn Rajasthan into an oasis of green jobs," he added.
The Adani Group will also play a role in the development of Jaipur's airport, a move expected to boost connectivity and further enhance the state's appeal as an investment destination.
"In addition, there are other investments planned, such as developing a world-class facility at Jaipur airport, multi-modal logistics park and ICDs that will support your transformative plans for Rajasthan," said Karan Adani. In his address at the summit, Karan Adani expressed the group's long-term commitment to Rajasthan, adding that the state was poised for rapid growth due to its rich heritage, natural resources, and increasing investor confidence. He emphasised the transformative potential of these investments, which are part of the broader national economic vision.
India, currently the world's fifth-largest economy, has seen impressive growth over the past decade, with GDP doubling and exports increasing significantly.
Central government scheme encouraging Bihar fishermen to become self-reliant
Patna, Dec 8 (IANS) Pradhan
Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) being run by the Central government is aiding and assisting those engaged in the fisheries sector to start their own enterprise and contribute to the generation of direct and indirect job opportunities.
The target is also to augment fish production as well as consumption per capita, by bringing more vitality to the supply chain.
Under this scheme, financial assistance and training is being given to fishermen for enhancing the aquaculture business.
In Bihar, this scheme is providing employment opportunities to the young generation and also writing a new chapter of self-reliance in
rural areas.
A PMMSY beneficiary named Uday Kumar from Nalanda district shared his story of growth under the scheme.
"We were imparted training under the PMMSY scheme, following which we started fish farming. Earlier, we were working only on our own land but now we have expanded our business by taking more land on lease," he said.
He told IANS that this scheme has helped him accumulate yearly income of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh. He said that under the scheme, he initially received an assistance amount of Rs 60,000, with which he started fish farming.
He and his fellow fishermen say that the scheme has brought a revolution in the field of fisheries and those in the fisheries sector are benefiting from it.
Shivanandan Prasad, Director of Bihar State Matsyajeevi Cooperative Federation told IANS that the scheme is proving to be very beneficial for the fishermen.
"Under this, subsidies of up to 50 per cent are being given on
construction of ponds, renovation of old ponds, fish farming materials like fish food, medicines and aerator machines. Apart from this, technical facilities like motor pumps are also being provided," he said.
He further elaborated that training is being given to thousands of farmers in Nalanda district due to which only one family but many are being fed and their financial condition is improving.
"Even those who don’t have a corpus of their own can benefit from the scheme and launch their own enterprise. The formation of a dedicated ministry for fisheries has given a strong impetus to the industry," he said.
Both Shivanandan Prasad and Uday Kumar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing a transformational change in the lives of the poor and unemployed.
"PMMSY yojana is a big step towards increasing the income of fish farmers and making them self-reliant," they said.
Over 138.34 crore Aadhaar numbers generated, DigiLocker crosses 37 crore users: Centre
New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) India's digital infrastructure has undergone a transformative evolution in recent years and so far, 138.34 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated, the government announced on Sunday.
DigiLocker, a platform for digital document verification, now stores 776 crore documents, serving more than 37.046 crore users.
Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA), the world’s largest education platform, has helped impart 556.37 crore learning sessions. It has achieved 17.95 crore course enrollments and 14.37 crore course completions, according to the government.
"With a rapidly expanding digital economy, driven by innovations in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital governance, India's infrastructure is continuously evolving to meet the growing demands of the public and private sectors," said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
After reaching a record high in October of 16.58 billion transactions and a value of Rs
23.50 lakh crore, UPI transactions in November stood at 15.48 billion transactions (38 per cent yearon-year growth) with a value of Rs 21.55 lakh crore (24 per cent YoY growth).
The number of UPI transactions may touch 25 billion a month towards the end of 2025.
One of the central pillars of India’s digital infrastructure is the expansion and development of data centres.
India’s data centre industry is poised for substantial growth, with expectations for a significant increase in IT load capacity, which is approximately at 1000 MW currently.
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has established state-of-the-art National Data Centres (NDC) in cities like Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad, providing robust cloud services to government ministries, state governments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
These data centres also offer essential disaster recovery and hosting services, ensuring continuity in government operations.
At NDC, storage capacity has been expanded to approximately 100PB, including All Flash Enterprise Class Storage, Object Storage, and Unified Storage. Additionally, around 5,000 odd servers are deployed to support various cloud workloads. Another state-of-the-art NDC (Tier-III) of 200 Racks expandable to 400
Hornbill Festival: UK tourist dies of heart attack in Nagaland
Kohima, Dec 8 (IANS) A 67-yearold tourist from the U.K., who attended the Hornbill Festival in Naga heritage village Kisama, died of a heart attack, police said on Sunday.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Kohima, Sheta Lohe said that sexagenarian Nigel Richard from Bradford, U.K., breathed his last at a private hospital in Kohima on Saturday night.
According to the police officer, Richard had complained of severe chest pain on Saturday evening while waiting for a bus at Kisama Heritage Village, the central venue of the 10-day-long Hornbill festival.
He was immediately taken to a health camp set up at the festival venue and provided first aid before being shifted to a private hospital in Kohima, 12 km from Kisama.
However, the tourist breathed his last later on Saturday night following which a post-mortem examination was conducted, the police officer said.
Racks is being established at Guwahati, said the government. To address the unique challenges faced by the northeastern region, the National Data Centre - North East Region (NDC-NER) was launched in September 2020.
The police officer said that the autopsy report revealed that Richard had died of a severe heart attack.
A brief send-off service was conducted at North Police Station in Kohima on Sunday.
An official of Nagaland’s Tourism and Art and Culture department, which has been organising the Hornbill Festival, said that all necessary arrangements were made by the department to send the body back to his home.
Over 1.30 lakh people, including 2,100 foreigners and around 31,000 tourists from various states of India have attended till the 8th day of the festival on Sunday.
In the ongoing silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival, Japan, the U.S., the U.K. (Wales), Peru and Bulgaria were the country partners while Sikkim and Telangana were the partner states.
Besides daily performances of a large number of cultural troupes from all the eight northeastern states, other highlights of the iconic Hornbill Festival include sales of local products, handloom and handicrafts, artworks, horticulture, traditional stone pulling ceremony, film festival, photo fest, heritage walk, kids’ carnival, International Hornbill Naga Wrestling, indigenous games and sports festival etc.
Local cuisine, food festival, Naga King chilli and pineapple eating competitions, World War-II rally, adventure outdoor activities, mountain biking, Dzukou Valley Day Hikes, Bamboo Carnival, and Night Carnival were the other important attractions of the annual gala celebration, which began on December 1.
How do 101 farmers on foot pose threat to national peace, asks Pandher
Chandigarh, Dec 14 (IANS)
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday questioned the government's stance, asking how a group of 101 farmers walking on foot towards Delhi could be considered a threat to national peace and order.
Dwelling on the decision of Working President of the All India Kisan Congress and wrestler, Bajrang Punia, to join the farmers, he said that they have no problem with a sportsperson or celebrity joining the stir, but want to keep political parties away.
Ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' foot march, Pandher compared the ongoing farmers' protest to the Parliament's Constitution debate.
"Only 101 farmers will head towards Delhi today at 12:00 P.M.
Every movement has its purpose. Despite the government's efforts and military barriers, our voices have reached 140 crore citizens. The voice of Shambhu and Khanauri is resonating across the country, and the Prime Minister must respect this voice," Pandher told IANS.
He further questioned, "While Parliament discusses the Constitution, do Shambhu and Khanauri follow a different Constitution? How can 101 individuals walking peacefully, pose a threat to peace and order?"
Pandher also expressed concern over the health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 19 days at the Khanauri border.
"His condition is critical. The entire country is worried, yet the Prime Minister seems indifferent," he remarked.
Dwelling on the decision of wrestler Bajrang Punia to join the farmers, Pandher said that they have no issue with a sportsperson or celebrity joining the stir, but
want to keep political parties away.
He also stated that they expect to convince farmers from other organisations, who have stayed out of the stir till now, to join the movement.
The farmers are resuming their march to demand the fulfilment of their long-pending issues, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and loan waivers.
Since February 13, the farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana, following the government's efforts to halt their previous attempts to reach Delhi. The protest is being held under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Earlier, Pandher announced the decision to march towards Delhi, emphasising the symbolic importance of the struggle. Farmers had prayed at Sikh shrines to express solidarity and seek blessings for their movement's success.
Parts of Ambala under 4-day Internet suspension ahead of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march
Chandigarh, Dec 14 (IANS)
Ahead of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march, Internet services in several areas of Ambala, Haryana, have been suspended from 6:00 A.M. on Saturday to 11:59 P.M. on December 17.
A statement from the Haryana Department of Home Affairs said, "I, Home Secretary, Haryana, do hereby order the suspension of the mobile Internet services (2G/3G/4G/5G/CDMA/GPRS), bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc. provided on mobile networks except the voice calls in the area of villages Dangdehri, Lohgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru in the jurisdiction of district Ambala. All telecom service providers of Haryana are hereby directed to ensure the compliance of this order."
"This order is issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in the area," it added. Authorities however, exempted individual SMSs, mobile
recharge, banking SMSs, Voice calls, and Internet services from the suspension that began on Saturday and will end on 11:59 P.M. on December 17.
Farmers are set to resume their 'Delhi Chalo' foot march on Saturday, pressing for the fulfilment of their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and loan waivers.
The march will involve a group of 101 farmers heading towards the national Capital as part of the ongoing protest that has now completed 10 months.
The farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after security forces stopped their earlier attempts to proceed to Delhi.
The protest is being held under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced the decision to march towards Delhi and mentioned that farmers had prayed at Sikh shrines to express solidarity and seek blessings for the movement's success.
Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 18 days at the Khanauri border, has seen his health deteriorate significantly. Doctors attending to him have reported decreasing weight and unstable blood pressure.
On Friday, the Supreme Court directed the Punjab and Central governments to ensure medical assistance for Dallewal, emphasising that his life is more important than the agitation. The court also suggested that the farmers adopt Gandhian methods of protest.
In anticipation of the march, security along the interstate border on the Ghaggar rivulet has been heightened, with central paramilitary forces and Haryana police deployed there in full force.
During the earlier march attempts, teargas shells were used by the security forces to prevent farmers from crossing the barricades.
Temporary barricades, heavily guarded by police and paramilitary personnel, were set up to restrict their movement. The protesting farmers had briefly suspended their march on December 8 after clashes with security personnel at Shambhu resulted in injuries.
However, the farmers remain steadfast in their demands, which include legal reforms to improve the agricultural sector.
The Haryana Police had previously invoked prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to justify their actions in preventing the protestors from advancing. Despite this, the farmers are determined to highlight their grievances in front of Parliament.
Over 40 Delhi schools receive bomb threats; students, staff evacuated
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) More than 40 schools in Delhi, including DPS RK Puram and GD Goenka School in Paschim Vihar, received bomb threats via email on Monday morning, triggering a swift evacuation of students and staff, according to the authorities. The threats disrupted the peak morning hours as school buses arrived, parents dropped off children, and staff prepared for the day.
The Delhi Fire Department received the first alert from GD Goenka School at 6:15 a.m., followed by a second call from DPS RK Puram at 7:06 a.m.
Emergency response teams, including bomb detection squads, dog units, and local police, were
immediately dispatched to both campuses. A thorough search operation was conducted, and no suspicious objects were found, a police official confirmed.
Students were sent home as a precautionary measure, and the incident has heightened concerns about security in the city's educational institutions.
This is not the first instance of such threats disrupting schools in Delhi. In October, an explosion outside a CRPF school in Rohini's Prashant Vihar caused damage to the school wall, nearby shops, and vehicles.
The next day, another email threatened bomb blasts at all CRPF schools, though this later turned out to be a hoax.
The frequency of such bomb threats has increased, not only in Delhi but across the country, targeting schools, hospitals, and airports.
In response to these recurring incidents, the Delhi High Court last month directed
Agartala/Shillong, Dec 8 (IANS)
The eight northeastern states would seek the full help of the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC) to monitor various developmental projects, flood control, irrigation, tourism, afforestation and agriculture work in the region.
A top official of the NESAC said that for the past several years the northeastern states have been using the technologies of the space application centre, situated in Meghalaya’s Umiam.
“An important meeting of the NESAC will be held in Agartala on December 22 to review the various works and outcomes of the NESAC. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) Chairman Dr S. Somanath would attend the meeting,” the official told IANS.
The Union Home Minister is the President of the NESAC Society while the ISRO chief is the Chairman of the NESAC Governing Council.
In a bid for the proper, effective and timely implementation of numerous projects and schemes, the Central government has been monitoring their progress and accuracy through satellite, drone and mobile apps, the official said.
keep North Eastern states free from the use of single-use plastic for environmental protection.
“Work has also been done to promote the use of technology in administration by using the NESAC,” the Home Minister had said.
It was decided in the earlier meetings that each state in the northeast should appoint a nodal officer for NESAC in their respective states to maximise and better utilise the facilities available at the space application centre.
In the Plenary Session of the NEC, DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Governors and Chief Ministers of eight northeastern states and top officials of the Central government and all northeastern states will attend.
The NEC plenary session was supposed to be held on August 31 and September 1 but it was postponed due to the devastating floods in Tripura.
An official of the Tripura Planning Department said that the progress of various ongoing and proposed development projects and other important matters were scheduled to be discussed in the NEC meeting.
The Union Home Minister, in the previous NEC meeting in Shillong, had said that in over 50 years of its establishment, the NEC has increased the pace of development of the region by providing a policy-related platform to all the states and simplifying the solutions to their problems.
the government to devise a comprehensive action plan, including a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to manage bomb threats and similar emergencies.
Justice Sanjeev Narula, presiding over a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter, emphasised the need for a detailed SOP outlining the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, school management, and municipal authorities to ensure seamless coordination during such emergencies.
The court also recommended establishing a mechanism to redress grievances to address concerns raised by affected parties. The feedback collected through this mechanism would help refine the action plan to address evolving security challenges effectively.
As investigations into the latest threats continue, authorities are focusing on enhancing preparedness to mitigate disruptions caused by such incidents in the future.
He said that several hundred projects were identified in over 2,000 different locations across the eight states and these have been geo-tagged through satellite images and mobile apps.
According to the official, the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in collaboration with NESAC has developed a project monitoring mobile applications.
The NESAC was established in 2000 as a joint initiative of the Department of Space and the Shillong-based North Eastern Council (NEC).
The NESAC review meeting on December 22 is a part of the 72nd Plenary Session of the NEC, to be held in Agartala on December 20-21.
Amit Shah during the previous NEC meetings also urged the Chief Ministers to make full use of facilities at the NESAC for flood control, irrigation, tourism, afforestation and agriculture work in the region.
The Home Minister had said that the Centre is committed to making the northeast flood and drug-free within the next few years. He has issued an appeal to
He had said that in these over five decades, more than 12,000 km of roads have been constructed in this region, 700 MW power plants have been established and many institutes of national excellence have also been established under the guidance of NEC.
Highlighting the role and scope of NEC under the Act East Policy, the Home Minister had said that in the last few years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has achieved significant success in solving the problems of law and order, insurgency and borders in this region.
With its headquarters in Meghalaya's capital Shillong, the NEC, a regional planning and statutory advisory body for the eight northeastern states including Sikkim, was constituted under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971, and came into being on November 7, 1972.
(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortyne@ gmail.com)
New Australian venture to target deadly disease-spreading mosquitoes
Canberra, Dec 10 (IANS)
Australia's national science agency has announced a new venture aimed at fighting diseasespreading mosquitoes.
Launched on Tuesday, Oxitec Australia, a collaboration between the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and UK biotechnology company Oxitec, will release genetically engineered male mosquitoes carrying a gene capable of reducing pest female numbers, reports Xinhua news agency.
The joint venture will target two of the deadliest species of
virus-carrying mosquitoes in the Pacific, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, to prevent the spread of dengue fever, Zika virus and yellow fever.
Brett Sutton, director of Health and Biosecurity at the CSIRO, described the new venture as an opportunity to combat the growing threat of invasive and exotic pests.
"Factors like climate change and growing pesticide resistance will only bring greater challenges to the health of Australians and our region via vector-borne diseases," he said.
"This technology platform could also be used to develop solutions for a wide spectrum of pests that threaten livestock and crops and our food systems," he said.
According to the World Health Organization, vector-borne diseases account for more than 17 per cent of all infectious diseases and cause over 700,000 deaths
globally every year.
Dengue is the most prevalent viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, with an estimated 40,000 deaths annually.
Oxitec's self-limiting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are genetically edited to carry a labdesigned gene. When the released males breed with wild females, the gene overloads the offspring with a protein called tTAV.
The protein kills biting females but leaves males to continue to pass it on.
Oxitec Australia is also working to develop a solution to the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, to help prevent a major invasion risk to mainland Australia.
The highly invasive and aggressive mosquito is already found in the Torres Strait Islands off Australia's north coast, where it spreads dengue, Zika and chikungunya virus.
Nuclear power twice as expensive for Australia as renewables: Report
Canberra, Dec 9 (IANS)
Renewables remain a cheaper electricity generation option for Australia than nuclear reactors, an annual report from the national science agency has found.
A draft of the 2024-25 GenCost report, published on Monday by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), identified solar and wind generation backed by storage and transmission as Australia's cheapest electricity option, Xinhua news agency reported. The report refuted claims by the Coalition -- the federal Opposition party -- that the long operating life of nuclear power
plants would make them cheaper than renewables.
Coalition leader Peter Dutton has promised to lift Australia's ban on nuclear power to build seven small modular reactors (SMRs) at existing coal plant sites if he is elected Prime Minister. Incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labour Party has committed to an exclusively renewables future.
Dutton has said that the first of the SMRs would be operational by 2035 or 2037. He has not released the estimated cost of the proposal but has promised to do so within days.
GenCost found that a nuclear SMR over a 60-year timeframe would cost up to 222 Australian dollars ($141.9) per megawatt hour (MWh) of electricity produced. By comparison, it said that a 60-year solar project would generate electricity at a maximum cost of 68 AUD ($43.4) per MWh, including the cost of a complete rebuild after 30 years. A 50-year
wind farm, including a rebuild after 25 years, would cost up to 108 AUD ($69) per MWh.
Additionally, the report concluded that the development time for a nuclear reactor in Australia would be at least 15 years.
Paul Graham, the CSIRO's Chief Energy Economist and lead author of the report, said there was no unique cost advantage in nuclear technology.
"Similar cost savings can be achieved with shorterlived technologies, including renewables, even when accounting for the need to build them twice," he said.
"The lack of an economic advantage is due to the substantial nuclear re-investment costs required to achieve long operational life."
The 2023-24 GenCost report estimated that a large-scale nuclear plant in Australia would cost more than 17 billion AUD ($10.8 billion) to build.
Travellers in Australia warned of flight delays as Qantas engineers go on strike
Around 500 engineers at Australia's five busiest airports, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, began walking off the job at 3:30 a.m. local time on Friday and would not return until 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.
It came after pay negotiations between Qantas and several trade unions representing the engineers broke down, Xinhua news agency reported.
Australian opposition leader reveals $210 billion price tag for nuclear plan
Sydney, Dec 13 (IANS) The leader of Australia's federal opposition party, Peter Dutton, has revealed his nuclear energy plan would cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
Dutton, the leader of the Coalition, on Friday, released the long-awaited costing of his plan to build seven nuclear reactors on the sites of retiring coal plants if he is elected Prime Minister (PM) at the 2025 general election, reports Xinhua news agency.
According to the independent costing, the plan would cost 331 billion Australian dollars ($210.7 billion).
Under Dutton's proposal, the first two publicly-owned reactors would begin operation by the mid-2030s, with coal-fired power plants to fill the generation gap in the meantime.
In 2050 -- by which the remaining
five reactors would be operational -- Dutton said that nuclear power would account for 38 per cent of Australia's electricity generation, with renewables covering 54 per cent and the remaining eight per cent coming from a combination of storage and gas.
The governing Labor Party has committed to pursuing a renewables-only future, which the Coalition has claimed would cost over 600 billion AUD ($381.9 billion).
"This is a plan which will underpin the economic success of our country for the next century," Dutton told reporters on Friday.
"This will make electricity reliable. It will make it more consistent. It will make it cheaper for Australians, and it will help us decarbonise as a trading economy -- as we must."
Australia has had a ban in place on nuclear power since 1998, but Dutton has said he would repeal the ban and start work on building the reactors within two years of taking office as PM.
A report published by the national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on Monday found that nuclear reactors would cost twice as much over a 60-year timeframe as wind and solar generation.
Australian unemployment falls to 3.9 per cent
Canberra, Dec 12 (IANS)
Australia's unemployment rate fell in November, defying the expectations of economists, official data has revealed.
employed Australians rose by 35,600 between October and November, while the number of unemployed people fell by 27,000 in the same period.
The economy added 52,600 fulltime jobs between October and November, the ABS said, which was partially offset by a fall in part-time employment of 17,000.
The unions said it was likely the strike would have an immediate impact on flights at the five airports.
A spokesperson for Qantas said that the airline had several contingencies in place to prevent delays.
The engineers, whose duties include towing and marshalling planes, demanded an immediate 15 per cent pay rise followed by a 5 per cent annual raise.
According to monthly labour force figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Thursday, the official unemployment rate was 3.9 per cent in November, down from 4.1 per cent in October and the lowest figure since March, reports Xinhua news agency.
News Corp Australia newspapers reported that economists had expected unemployment to rise to 4.2 per cent.
Australia's central bank, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), in November, said it expected unemployment to rise to 4.3 per cent by the end of 2024. However, the ABS said on Thursday that the number of
"In November, we saw a higher than usual number of people moving into employment who were unemployed and waiting to start work in October.
This contributed to the rise in employment and fall in unemployment," David Taylor, head of labour statistics at the ABS, said in a statement.
Responding to the data, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in a statement posted on social media that the government's policies are helping achieve a soft landing in the economy.
The participation rate, which measures the proportion of the working-age population who are either employed or actively looking for work, fell slightly from 67.1 per cent in October to 67.0 per cent in November.
Sydney, Dec 13 (IANS) Travellers in Australia were warned to expect flight delays on Friday after hundreds of Qantas engineers across the country began strike action over a pay dispute with the airline.
India calls for ‘peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process’ after fall of al-Assad regime
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) India on Monday urged all parties in Syria to prioritise the unity and integrity of the nation following the fall of the al-Assad regime. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement stressing the need for a peaceful resolution amidst the escalating turmoil in the Middle Eastern country.
"We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of ongoing developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria," the MEA said. It further advocated for "a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led
political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society."
The MEA also addressed the safety of Indian citizens in Syria, assuring that the Indian Embassy in Damascus remains in contact with the community to ensure their security.
The statement follows dramatic developments over the weekend, as opposition forces seized control of Damascus after a swift offensive that toppled major Syrian cities in a matter of days.
On Sunday, opposition fighters appeared on state television to announce the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Media reports, citing Russian officials, have claimed that al-Assad has sought asylum in Moscow, fleeing Syria with his family. The situation marks a significant turning point in the nation's prolonged civil conflict.
In Damascus, civilians celebrated
in the streets, waving the "revolution flag," a symbol of Syria before the Assad family's rule. The opposition also released prisoners from Sednaya Prison near Damascus, which was abandoned by security forces as they withdrew.
India had previously issued a travel advisory on Friday, warning its citizens against travelling to Syria and urging those stranded in the country to leave at the earliest opportunity.
The unrest has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting over 370,000 people displaced within a week.
As rebels continue their advance and government forces struggle to maintain control, the security situation raises significant concerns about Syria's future stability.
Facing uncertainty after overthrow of al-Assad, Biden orders airstrikes on Islamic State in Syria
New York, Dec 9 (IANS) Facing uncertainty in Syria after the rapid overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Washington bombed sites controlled by Islamic State, a group on the terrorist list, as President Joe Biden’s administration tried to recalibrate its policy for that country.
The US faces a quandary because the rebels who have captured Damascus and sent al-Assad into exile in Russia are led by an organisation that is also listed as terrorist, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), for its al-Qaeda link.
While celebrating the fall of al-Assad, Biden addressed the “risk and uncertainty” in Syria to Washington and the region and the initial US response.
“Just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, airstrikes, within Syria targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives”, he said.
“We’re clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of the vacuum. We will not let that happen,” he said.
However, reflecting the US’ dilemma, he added, “Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.”
The end of al-Assad’s 14-year rule, he said, is “a moment of historic opportunity for the longsuffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country”.
He added, “It’s also a moment of risk and uncertainty”.
The risks are both internal and international as Syria shares borders with Iraq, Turkiye, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel in a volatile region.
About 200 Indian peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) are stationed on the Syria-Israel border.
The US has deployed about 1,000 troops in areas that were outside the control of al-Assad mainly training Kurdish rebels fighting the Islamic State, which is known as ISIS, an acronym for its full name.
Biden said that the US troops will remain there and the detention facilities for ISIS terrorists will stay.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a press release that over 75 “strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS”.
General Erik Kurilla, who commands CENTCOM put other organisations there on notice:
"All organisations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way”.
Biden, whose strategic leadership was questioned after the debacle of US withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, took credit for the weakening of Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah that led to alAssad’s rout.
“Over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than they were
After working for Al-Qaida and Zawahiri, Islamist Julani takes control of Syria
Damascus, Dec 8 (IANS) As the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced on Sunday the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and the "beginning of a new era" after capturing Damascus, all eyes are now focused on the next moves that will be made by its leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, who once worked with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the founder and leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
video while announcing that the ANF, Al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, was changing its name to Jabhat Fath Al Sham (Conquest of the Levant Front).
Next year, it was merged with several other hardline opposition groups to form Hayat Tahrir alSham (HTS) with al-Julani calling the shots.
when I took office”, he said. He credited the “blows” inflicted by Ukraine on Russia and Israel on Hezbollah with US help.
“Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East”, he said.
Russia, bogged down in Ukraine and Iran that has taken a pounding from Israel could not help al-Assad.
Biden said al-Assad’s “regime brutalised and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians” and he should be brought to justice.
HTS leader Abu Mohammed alGolani is also on the US terror list, but he has declared he has ended his ties to al-Qaeda from whose Nusrah Front it evolved.
Questions remain on how far the Sunni HTS will go in enforcing extreme Islamic rules and how it will treat non-Sunni Muslims like the Shias and the Alwaites, and other religious minorities like Christians.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “We have taken note of statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions”.
There is also the risk of the upheaval spilling into neighbouring countries.
Biden said that the US would help them “should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition”.
Although NATO member Turkiye was aligned with the US seeing al-Assad gone, it’s motives run counter to the US.
Affiliated to Al-Qaida and known as Nusra Front earlier, HTS led the rebel groups as they began a major offensive in northern Syria on November 27, capturing major cities like Aleppo, Hama before finally storming Damascus. As several conflicting reports continue to emerge about the whereabouts of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the world is closely watching the unrest unleashed in the region by HTS which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States. 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' Abu Mohammad al-Julani, meanwhile, has a $10 million bounty on his head.
Born as Ahmed Hussein AlShara, Julani is also known as Mohammad al-Jawlani and Abu Muhammad al-Golani. He worked for Al-Qaida in Iraq and also spent five years in a US prison. Julani pledged allegiance to Al-Qaida and its leader Ayman al-Zawahiri as Al-Nusrah Front vowed to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime as early as in 2012, It was Baghdadi who had instructed Julani to establish a front for Al-Qaida in Syria by developing a local presence and fighting. Al-Qaida in Iraq supplied the Nusra Front with manpower, money, weapons and advice.
In May 2013, Julani was named as a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the US State Department
The FBI sought information on the leadership of the Al Nusra Front (ANF) and the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice programme announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Julani.
On July 24, 2013, the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and AlQaida Sanctions Committee placed Julani on its list of sanctioned terrorists, making him subject to an international asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
In July 2016, Julani praised AlQaida and Zawahiri in an online
According to the local media, the jihadi outfit HTS and Julani have returned to the regional scene after a withdrawal of about five years, during which the organisation went through many internal changes "in terms of relations with other factions in Idlib" and experienced major regional and international transformations, including the Covid-19 phase, the Ukrainian war and the Al-Aqsa flood.
"Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has overcome many obstacles during the past period, after splitting from ISIS and pledging allegiance to the global Al-Qaeda organisation, then disengaging from it, and transforming into Jabhat Fateh al-Sham first, and then into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as a local military, administrative and political authority," Lebanon's Al-Manar reported on Sunday. The report mentioned that HTS was able to maintain its strength and control in the region due to the formation of the so-called 'Salvation Government' in Idlib, Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war which pushed the world's attention away from Syria for a long period.
"Since Jabhat al-Nusra severed its ties with al-Qaeda in 2017, Abu Muhammad al-Julani has sought to establish a new approach based on 'jihadism in methodology and nationalism in geography', benefiting from the experiences of Iraq and the influence of Syrian reality," the report added.
Meanwhile, several analysts believe that those celebrating the fall of the decades-old Bashar al-Assad regime are, in a way, backing terrorists from ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
Russia, which has put its military bases in Syria on a "high alert", said that it is following the "dramatic events" with extreme concern.
"As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. Russia did not participate in these negotiations. At the same time, we appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means," read a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
28 killed, 37 injured in bombardment of fuel station in Sudan’s capital
Khartoum, Dec 9 (IANS) At least 28 people were killed and 37 others injured in a bombardment targeting a fuel station south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to a volunteer group and local media.
"The ammonia fuel station, in the new Market 6 in Mayo
Opposition
neighborhood, north of Bashair Hospital, was bombed, resulting in significant human and material losses," South Khartoum Emergency Room, a local volunteer group, said in a statement on Sunday.
The injuries included 29 burn cases, three of which were firstdegree burns, and eight cases of shrapnel wounds, Xinhua news agency reported.
The group said medical efforts were going on to deal with the incident, calling for additional medical assistance for the injured.
The Sudanese news portal Al-
Rakoba confirmed on Sunday that 28 people were killed and 37 others injured in the bombardment of the ammonia fuel station.
So far, no party has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023.
The deadly conflict has resulted in more than 27,120 deaths and displaced over 14 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to estimates by international organisations.
vows to build democratic, pluralistic Syria after fall of al-Assad’s govt
Damascus, Dec 9 (IANS) The Syrian National Coalition, a main Syrian opposition, vowed to continue working towards the transfer of authority to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, to usher in a free, democratic, and pluralistic Syria.
In a statement to the international community, the coalition emphasised its commitment to ensuring stability and security in neighboring countries and stressed that Syrians would refrain from interfering in the affairs of regional states, Xinhua news agency reported.
The coalition said it looked forward to forging strategic partnerships with countries in the region and around the
world to rebuild Syria for all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or sect. The group reiterated its vision of a nation founded on equality and democratic principles, laying the groundwork for a peaceful and inclusive future.
In recent days, Damascus has become a focal point of fastmoving developments marking a critical turning point in Syria's long-running civil conflict. The Syrian capital, which for years remained under the firm control of President Bashar al-Assad's government, experienced Sunday a sudden and dramatic shift in power following major rebel advances in the country.
Beginning in late November, armed opposition groups scored significant gains in northern provinces such as Aleppo, where the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group spearheaded a major offensive against government forces. With rebels advancing, reports emerged of swift army withdrawals from key southern
provinces, including Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida.
Inside the capital, these developments sparked public anxiety, with many residents unsure of what would follow. They rushed to secure basic necessities, such as bread and rice.
After opposition forces seized control of Damascus, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on Sunday that alAssad has left Syria and resigned as the country's president, who, meanwhile, called for a peaceful transfer of power.
Local factions and international observers are closely monitoring the situation in Syria, concerned about the stability of diplomatic missions and the potential for violence in the Syrian capital following incidents such as the storming of the Iranian embassy.
Iran's Foreign Ministry
Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Sunday condemned the attack, while noting that Iran's ambassador to Syria and the embassy's staffers were in full health.
India, Norway forge deeper economic ties, plan to launch startup bridge
Damascus, Dec 9 (IANS) The Syrian National Coalition, a main Syrian opposition, vowed to continue working towards the transfer of authority to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, to usher in a free, democratic, and pluralistic Syria.
In a statement to the international community, the coalition emphasised its commitment to ensuring stability and security in neighboring countries and
stressed that Syrians would refrain from interfering in the affairs of regional states, Xinhua news agency reported.
The coalition said it looked forward to forging strategic partnerships with countries in the region and around the world to rebuild Syria for all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or sect. The group reiterated its vision of a nation founded on equality and democratic principles, laying the groundwork for a peaceful and inclusive future.
In recent days, Damascus has become a focal point of fastmoving developments marking a critical turning point in Syria's long-running civil conflict. The Syrian capital, which for years remained under the firm control of President Bashar al-Assad's
B’desh heading for genocide, situation must be brought under control: ISKCON
Kolkata, Dec 8 (IANS) A senior official of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) said on Sunday that Bangladesh would head towards a major genocide in the coming days if the situation is not brought under control.
Vice President and spokesman of ISKCON-Kolkata Radharaman
Das said that several videos are surfacing from Bangladesh where fundamentalists are seen instigating the common people claiming that the time has come to “slaughter” the associates of ISKCON.
“They are claiming that ISCON is like cancer and that it can be eliminated only by cutting it out. Such fundamentalists, who have a large number of followers on their social media accounts are issuing such appeals to their followers. The videos by such fundamentalists are being viewed by a large number of people,” claimed Das.
Das further claimed that one such fundamentalist religious leader in Bangladesh is moving to different pockets of Bangladesh in his
private jet.
“He is going to places and telling his followers that it is time that the ISKCON devotees and followers be nabbed and slaughtered,” Das claimed.
He also said that if such fundamentalists are allowed to spread such hate messages freely the situation in Bangladesh will worsen further.
“They are virtually instigating the common people to go for a virtual genocide. If people in Bangladesh are inspired by their appeals and start acting then even the Bangladesh Army and Police would not be able to bring the situation under control. In that case, there are possibilities of genocide there,” Das said.
He also said that another temple located in Dhaka district in Bangladesh was set on fire on Saturday in the early morning hours.
“Some people came and gutted the entire temple by using petrol. The idols of the deities were also vandalised. All such things are happening because such fundamentalist leaders are moving to places and making such provocative statements against ISKCON. So the first necessity is to arrest such fundamentalists. Unless they are controlled, Bangladesh will be heading for a major genocide,” Das claimed.
Macron nominates Francois Bayrou as new French PM
Paris, Dec 14 (IANS) French
government, experienced Sunday a sudden and dramatic shift in power following major rebel advances in the country.
Beginning in late November, armed opposition groups scored significant gains in northern provinces such as Aleppo, where the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group spearheaded a major offensive against government forces. With rebels advancing, reports emerged of swift army withdrawals from key southern provinces, including Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida.
Inside the capital, these developments sparked public anxiety, with many residents unsure of what would follow. They rushed to secure basic necessities, such as bread and rice.
President Emmanuel Macron has nominated Francois Bayrou as the country's new Prime Minister, the Elysee announced.
Bayrou has now been tasked with forming a government, Macron's office said. He will also make a 2025 budget to be adopted by the National Assembly, reports Xinhua news agency.
Bayrou is a centrist ally of Macron and succeeds Michel Barnier, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence on December 4. Born in 1952, Bayrou founded the centrist party Democratic Movement (MoDem) in 2007. He ran as a presidential candidate three times, in 2002, 2007, and 2012.
Following the Elysee's announcement on Friday, the President of the far-right wing party National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, told French news channel BFMTV that his party
would not immediately censor Bayrou but added that Bayrou should "understand that he has no democratic legitimacy nor the majority in the National Assembly, which requires a dialogue with all the forces represented in the parliament."
Meanwhile, the hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI) has announced it will launch a noconfidence vote to bring down Bayrou.
LFI has repeatedly said that the position of Prime Minister should be given to someone from the alliance of left-wing parties, which won the most seats in the snap legislative elections held this year.
Speaking to the press Friday afternoon, Bayrou stressed the need for a reconciliation.
"Everyone understands the difficulty of the task...There is a path to be found that unites people instead of dividing them," he said.
Michel Barnier congratulated his successor in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying: "In this serious time for France and for Europe, all my personal and friendly wishes for his action as the head of the government."
From the editor’s desk
Australian Labor’s tech gambit: A bold move against digital titans
The Australian Labor government’s recent push to enforce new legislation targeting tech giants such as Meta, Google, TikTok, Apple, and Microsoft is a move as audacious as it is complex. At its core, this initiative reflects the government’s resolve to recalibrate the power dynamics between Silicon Valley behemoths and Australian news publishers. With its focus on ensuring that platforms compensate media outlets for the content they host, the legislation not only addresses longstanding grievances within the journalism industry but also sets the stage for a broader global debate about the responsibilities of digital platforms.
Australia has been a forerunner in this battle before. Back in 2021, the government passed laws compelling tech giants to pay media companies for news links that generated traffic and advertising revenue. This was met with considerable resistance. Meta, in particular, chose to block Australian users from reposting news articles for a brief period—a move that sparked outrage. Eventually, deals were struck with several major media outlets, but the uneasy truce underscored the power imbalance that still lingered. Now, with this fresh legislation, Labor appears determined to shift the scales further.
The underlying thought on which “news bargaining initiative” is based is a simple one. Platforms with Australianbased revenue exceeding $250 million must either enter into commercial agreements with news publishers or face financial penalties. Companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok are directly in the crosshairs, while smaller players like X (formerly Twitter) have managed to avoid inclusion under the current parameters. On paper, the strategy seems fair; platforms that profit from hosting and disseminating news content must share their earnings with the creators of that content. However, the reality of enforcing this framework reveals layers of complexity that make it feel more like a high-stakes chess match than a straightforward policy rollout.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones’s comparison of this legislation to “four-dimensional chess” is apt. The stakes are enormous, and the challenges are manifold. The first hurdle is the pushback from tech companies. Predictably, Meta
has already criticized the proposal, claiming it fails to account for the value news publishers derive from the platform’s exposure. This argument, while not entirely without merit, obscures the broader issue: the systemic exploitation of content creators.
The algorithms employed by these platforms amplify news stories, driving engagement, clicks, and ad revenue, while publishers often receive little in return. For many smaller outlets, the economic model has become unsustainable, threatening the very fabric of journalism in Australia.
Google, too, has voiced concerns, warning that this legislation might jeopardize existing commercial agreements with publishers. This raises an important question: could a mandatory framework inadvertently disrupt voluntary deals that were already functioning?
The government appears to believe the risk is worth it. The offset mechanism built into the legislation incentivizes platforms to continue or enter such agreements, ensuring they avoid additional financial penalties.
But whether this carrot-andstick approach will be enough to quell corporate discontent remains uncertain.
At its heart, this legislation is a stand for equity, transparency, and sustainability. Australian journalism has faced significant upheaval over the past decade, with dwindling revenues leading to job losses, closures of regional publications, and reduced investigative reporting. These trends are not unique to Australia; globally, traditional media outlets have struggled to adapt to the digital age.
Yet, Australia’s willingness to legislate against the seemingly untouchable tech juggernauts sets a precedent that other nations may be keen to follow.
But what does success look like? If the goal is to provide financial relief to news publishers, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. By targeting companies with significant Australian revenues, the legislation focuses on entities that can afford to pay. This specificity avoids the pitfalls of overburdening smaller platforms that may lack the financial resources to comply. However, achieving true balance will require constant vigilance to ensure that funds flow to the intended recipients and are not swallowed up by administrative costs or redirected into corporate profits.
The scorching truth: Lessons from Perth’s heatwave
Perth’s recent heatwave, marked by temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, has reminded us once again of the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events. With the city enduring its first heatwave of the summer, peaking at 40.4°C on December 11, and areas like Gingin Airport recording an even more blistering 43.1°C, Western Australia found itself grappling with a scenario that is becoming all too familiar. This event was not an isolated anomaly but part of a broader, troubling pattern that underscores the urgent need for action on multiple fronts.
The immediate cause of this heatwave was a static weather system. A west coast trough drew hot north-easterly winds from central Western Australia to the South West, trapping the region in an oppressive blanket of heat. While meteorologists assured residents that relief was on the horizon by the weekend, the event’s impact had already been deeply felt. Power outages left thousands without electricity during the most critical moments, and health warnings urged residents to stay hydrated and avoid peaktime outdoor activities. For many, this heatwave was a harsh lesson in vulnerability, a wakeup call about the limitations of our current infrastructure and preparedness.
One cannot discuss such extreme weather without addressing the elephant in the room: climate change. The science is clear— global temperatures are rising, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent, prolonged, and severe. Perth’s ordeal is part of a larger global narrative of climate extremes, from wildfires in North America to devastating floods in South Asia. These events are not merely inconvenient; they are life-altering, carrying dire consequences for health, livelihoods, and ecosystems.
For Perth, the impact was visible across multiple dimensions. On the human front, there were warnings about the health risks associated with such temperatures, particularly for the elderly, children, and those with preexisting medical conditions. The extreme heat placed a strain not only on the human body but also on the systems designed to support it. Hospitals and healthcare providers braced for an influx of heat-related cases, ranging from dehydration to heatstroke. For a city that prides itself on its outdoor lifestyle, the heatwave served as a sobering reminder of the limits imposed by nature.
Even wildlife, often overlooked in discussions about extreme weather, bore the brunt of the sweltering conditions. At Perth Zoo, animals like Asian
small-clawed otters were given seafood treats and other cooling measures to help them cope. These anecdotes, while heartwarming, point to a broader, often hidden cost of climate extremes—the toll on biodiversity. Prolonged heatwaves can disrupt ecosystems, alter migratory patterns, and threaten species unable to adapt quickly to rising temperatures.
Infrastructure, too, faced significant challenges. The heatwave drove electricity demand to unprecedented levels, peaking at 4,070 megawatts, as air conditioners hummed incessantly in homes and businesses across the city. This surge strained the grid, leading to power outages that left thousands in sweltering conditions without relief. Such scenarios underscore the pressing need for resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding the pressures of a warming world. Our reliance on electricity for cooling and other basic needs is only set to increase, and without significant investments in capacity and reliability, future heatwaves could bring even greater disruption. There were, however, moments of defiance and resilience amid the oppressive heat. Some residents refused to let the soaring temperatures dictate their routines, with individuals seen climbing Jacob’s Ladder, a popular hillside staircase, even during the heatwave’s peak. While this might seem reckless to some, it speaks to a deeper cultural attachment to outdoor activities and an unwillingness to yield entirely to nature’s challenges. Yet, such instances also highlight the need for widespread public awareness campaigns to emphasize the risks of overexertion during extreme weather.
The broader implications of Perth’s heatwave extend beyond the immediate discomfort and disruption. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that cities face in the age of climate change. Western Australia’s experience should prompt policymakers to accelerate efforts to build climate-resilient infrastructure and to integrate heatwave preparedness into urban planning. This includes more green spaces to reduce urban heat islands, investments in renewable energy to ensure sustainable cooling solutions, and the adoption of technologies that enhance grid efficiency during periods of peak demand.
The economic cost of such events also cannot be ignored. Prolonged heatwaves impact productivity, with workers in outdoor industries like construction and agriculture particularly vulnerable. For businesses, the
cost of maintaining operations during extreme heat, coupled with potential losses from power outages and equipment failures, can be substantial. Meanwhile, households bear the brunt of rising energy bills as they try to keep cool. Without targeted interventions, such as subsidies for energyefficient cooling systems or improved housing insulation, these costs will continue to rise, disproportionately affecting lowincome communities.
Perth’s heatwave also holds lessons for the global community. As climate extremes become the norm, nations must recognize that their responses—or lack thereof—will shape the future. International cooperation on climate action is no longer optional but imperative. Events like these should galvanize governments to meet and exceed their commitments under frameworks like the Paris Agreement. The stakes could not be higher; without decisive action, the frequency and severity of such heatwaves will only increase, pushing ecosystems and human systems to their limits.
On a local level, education and community engagement are crucial. Residents need to be equipped not only with the knowledge of how to protect themselves during heatwaves but also with the tools to demand systemic change. Public discourse must shift from viewing such events as one-off occurrences to understanding them as part of a larger, interconnected crisis. This involves holding industries accountable for their contributions to climate change, advocating for sustainable practices, and supporting policies that prioritize long-term resilience over short-term gain. Perth’s heatwave is a microcosm of the challenges that lie ahead. It is a vivid illustration of the direct and indirect costs of climate change and a reminder of the work that remains to be done. Whether it serves as a catalyst for meaningful action or fades into the background as another statistic depends on the choices made today. As temperatures return to manageable levels, the urgency of the moment must not be lost. Perth’s experience should ignite not just reflection, but resolve—a collective commitment to confronting the climate crisis with the seriousness it demands.
On a local level, education and community engagement are crucial. Residents need to be equipped not only with the knowledge of how to protect themselves during heatwaves but also with the tools to demand systemic change.
Judicial push for the right to equality
The Third Eye: Judicial push for the right to equality
New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) In a judgement of extraordinary importance, the Supreme Court of India on November 25 quashed the Telangana state order facilitating preferential allotment of land to MPs, MLAs, bureaucrats, judges and journalists within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and using strong words described the distribution of state largesse as "capricious, irrational and arbitrary." It held that the action violated Article 14 of the Constitution.
Terming it as an "abuse of power" by the state government meant to cater to the affluent sections of society, the judgement clearly hinted that this was a corrupt practice. Upholding the public interest petition, the ruling declared that the policy of the state government ‘perpetuated inequality’ and undermined the principle of substantive equality enshrined in the Constitution.
In the words of the Supreme Court "When the government allocates land at discounted rates to the privileged few, it engenders a system of inequality conferring on them a material advantage that remains inaccessible to the common citizen. This preferential treatment conveys the message that certain individuals are entitled to more, not due to the necessities of their public office or the public good but simply because of their ‘status’."
The apex court pointed out that the policy gave preferential
treatment to the higher echelons of all the three wings of the government-legislators, bureaucrats and members of the higher judiciary -- and reminded the journalists that as they represented the Fifth Pillar of democracy they were expected to provide checks on any arbitrary exercise of the state powerseeking, in this case, to allot land on the premise of benefitting "deserving sections of society."
The judgement of the Supreme Court has in a way questioned the traditional model of governance existing in this country for decades and seriously faulted it for defying the fundamental right to equality.
The civil appeal challenging the allotment of land parcels at Hyderabad has led to a totallooking judgement in as much as the Supreme Court passed an order of restitution directing that while the lease deeds executed by the State of Telangana in favour of the cooperative societies stood cancelled, the state would refund the entire amount deposited by a member including the stamp duty and registration fees along with interest as per prevailing RBI rate.
The court even prescribed how the development charges paid by the Societies would be paid back. The court reiterated that whereas the power to distribute and redistribute public assets fell within the State’s discretion, such discretion is not absolute being subject to Article 14 of the Constitution and the logic of equality.
The SC ruled that "It cannot be questioned that the state policy and executive action must satisfy the requirements of this article."
There is a certain punch in this judgement that would deter the executive from exercising the state power arbitrarily and somewhere check the politicianbureaucratic nexus that has been
a bane for democracy in India. It is interesting that the Supreme Court gave another judgement touching on the philosophy of governance in democratic India -- again on November 25 --dismissing petitions that had pleaded for the removal of the words "secular" and "socialist" inserted in the Preamble of the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment made during the Emergency in 1976.
Those behind the petition saw a contradiction between the stipulation that the state would neither favour nor oppose any religion and the mention of constitutional protections for "minorities."
The original assumption of the makers of the Constitution was that by laying emphasis on equality before the law and equal treatment of all communities along with the grant of freedom of belief as a fundamental right, they had made India inherently secular.
The Supreme Court took the view that India had developed its own interpretation of secularism and evolved a tradition wherein the state neither supported any religion nor penalised the practice of any faith.
In any case, secularism was built into the democratic architecture of India because of "one man one vote," the absence of any denominational stamp on the government and a guarantee that policies will not serve the cause of any one community.
In its earlier pronouncements, the apex court had considered secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution equating it with the nation’s commitment to treating persons of all faiths equally and without discrimination.
The SC retained the word in the Preamble apparently accepting this simple non-ideological
interpretation.
As regards the inclusion of the word "socialist" in the Preamble, it is said that the Constituent Assembly did not consider this necessary on the ground that future generations should not be tied down forever to a particular model of economy. The makers of the Constitution believed in the principle of economic justice.
In the November 25 judgement, the SC did not scrutinise the fact that the Preamble was amended during the Emergency but noted that the question had been settled in 1978 when the 44th Amendment was passed. It interpreted the adjective "socialist" as the indicator of a state dedicated to the welfare of the people.
The Constitution seeks to provide minimum facilities to all people to free them from poverty, hunger and unemployment and mandates the state to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The SC thus interpreted a ‘socialist state’ in the Indian context as being a ‘welfare state’-- nothing more -- as any regime in India was committed to establishing ‘social and economic justice’. Classical Socialism is an ideology of the state that believed in public ownership of all means of production.
Incidentally, the philosophy of Integral Humanism was propounded by the late Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay opposed both Western capitalist individualism and Marxist Socialism- it seemingly accepted a middle ground rejecting the "excesses" of both sides. The Supreme Court as in the case of Secularism took a non-ideological view of the word Socialist figuring in the Preamble and legitimised its inclusion in the Preamble.
These two judgements of the Supreme Court bench were headed by the new Chief Justice -- have a special significance in as much as they touched on the very philosophy of the state on which Indian democracy was
anchored. They emphasise that all citizens stood on the same footing in the eyes of the regime, that the basic structure of the Indian Constitution would remain unaltered, that India was wedded to the philosophy of improving a lot of its people, that the rulers might change but the system of rules must have continuity and that the country must remain vigilant against corruption at any level and in any sphere of governance.
In the case of allotment of land at Hyderabad, the CJI declared that "The benefits granted to the privileged and well-off classes come at a cost as they effectively deprive and deny the essentials to the marginalised and socially vulnerable populations."
The policy does not meet the fairness standards prescribed by the Constitution. The apex court in the Hyderabad case was in a way adjudicating on the Constitutional validity of decisions made by the democratic dispensation in the course of the day-to-day administration and setting the bar of ‘people’s interest’ for them.
It upheld the continuance of the words "secular" and "socialist" in the Preamble on the grounds that they were in tune with the ethos of the Indian Constitution and that the power to amend extended to the Preamble to the Constitution as well.
It also took an adverse view of the fact that the petitions were filed years after the amendments had been made. It implied that the policies of the Indian state would pass muster so long as they provided a "people-oriented" governance, regardless of how secularism and socialism were ideologically defined in various quarters.
(The writer is former Director, Intelligence Bureau.)
‘Syrian Scenarios’: What may lie ahead for Arab heartland nation, Middle East, world?
New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) The quick fall -- and flight -- of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has evoked triumph in certain quarters and disquiet in others, as it seems to have upended the political situation and strategic calculus of the Middle East.
However, a look at the record of the key Arab country and others may suggest the last word on what follows remains to be said.
Both Israel and the US have rushed to take claim for the overthrow of the over six-decade rule of the Ba'ath Party, Turkey is quietly exulting, and the end of the Russian and Iranian influence in the Arab heartland state is being celebrated.
There are, however, reports that Assad, who had been moving family members out of the country quietly, had cut a deal with the rebels for a safe exit, given the problems in maintaining
control over a fragmenting and impoverished country. Russia, involved in Ukraine, and Iran, weakened by attacks on its regional proxies, are perceived as not extending themselves over much in preserving Assad's rule, like earlier. They are also seeking to build bridges with the new rulers -- Russia has obtained guarantees on its bases in the country, and both Moscow and Tehran may be biding their time till the inherent contradictions in the situation bubble up.
The Al Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, the USsupported Syrian Democratic Forces, and other elements of what may become a toxic Syrian brew, may find ousting Assad was the easy part. Take the SDF, which is predominantly Kurdish -- a community which Turkey regards as its enemy incarnate -- what
happens when they come close?
While Syria is predominantly Sunni, the power was long held by the Alawite sub-sect of Shias, from which the Assad family and its key personnel hail, and the country also has sizeable Kurd, Druze, Shia, and Arab Christian (divided into six major churches) segments of the populace.
Described as a tribal and fractious country by then Saudi Crown Prince Faisal in the mid-1950s, Syria has witnessed at least eight military coups and a short-lived union with Egypt in the first quarter century as a free country following independence from France in 1946. It was only after Air Force chief Hafez Al Assad seized power in 1970, after being a key part of the 1961, 1963, and 1966 coups, that there was a semblance of stability, though with an authoritarian bent, save the abortive Islamist revolt of the
early 1980s.
While Assad had groomed his eldest son Bassel as his successor, the latter's death in a 1994 accident forced him to choose his second son, Bashar, for the role. Bashar Al Assad succeeded his father in 2000 and governed without hitch till the Arab Spring affected his country too, leading to the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. It was a tough time for him till Russian and Iranian military intervention turned the tide, leading to roughly another decade in power till the rebels' resurgence at the end of 2024 spelt a final finish.
Then, the Assads' long rule may have been despotic, but, here its end must be compared with the situation that arose after the violent overthrow of other 'despots' in the Middle East, spanning the entire region from the dusty plains of Iraq to the
sandy expanses of Libya. Did the ouster of either Saddam Hussain of Iraq in 2003 or Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 meet the strategic aims of their adversaries or leave the countries a better place?
The answer is evident -- in Iraq, the long-repressed Shia majority rose up and an alignment with neighbouring Iran was achieved, while sparking a Sunni insurgency that required the US and the regime a considerable time to stamp out. Scarcely had this been done, the spectre of the Islamic State -- which in some respects, outdid Al Qaeda in viciousness -- arose. While the US claims credit for countering and weakening it, the role of Iranbacked Iraqi militias, and Gen Qassem Soleimani as a strategist, was also key. In an unstable Syria, could either Al Qaeda or the IS regain strength?
$2.2 trillion in infra investment to help India become $7 trillion economy by 2030
Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS) An estimated investment of $2.2 trillion into infrastructure development is imperative to support India’s GDP size to expand to $7 trillion by 2030, according to a report on Thursday.
To achieve an economic size of $7 trillion, India’s economy is
required to grow at a CAGR of 10.1 per cent between 2024-2030, according to the report by Knight Frank India.
The investment opportunity for private participation in infrastructure development in India ranges between $103.2 billion to $324 billion.
“India stands at the cusp of a transformative era in infrastructure development. By harnessing the power of private investment, we can accelerate our journey towards achieving our ambitious economic growth targets,” said Rajeev Vijay, Executive Director-Government
and Infrastructure Advisory, Knight Frank India.
The central government aims to reduce its gross fiscal deficit to below 4.5 per cent by 2025 and increasing private sector participation in infrastructure development would help balance fiscal deficit targets.
At an existing investment share composition of Centre (51.2 per cent), state (44.1 per cent), private (4.7 per cent), the estimated gross fiscal deficit in 2030 will be 4.7 per cent, which is above the government’s defined fiscal deficit threshold.
With ‘Rising Rajasthan’, state eyes investment to emerge as $350 billion economy
Jaipur, Dec 8 (IANS) To realise the vision of making the state a $350 billion economy in the next five years, the three-day 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit' will be organised from December 9.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest of the summit and deliver the inaugural address.
NRAI
The event will see industrialists, investors and ambassadors from 32 countries, of which 17 will be "partner countries".
Several Union Cabinet and State Cabinet members, more than 5,000 investors, business and trade officials, and delegates will attend the summit. MoUs for investment proposals worth Rs 30 lakh crore have already been signed.
Eminent business dignitaries scheduled to grace the event include Gautam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agrawal, Anand Mahindra and Sanjeev Puri.
At least 4,000 policemen, including 11 IPS officers, have been deployed to maintain law and order.
Around 180 special guests including investors, businessmen and ambassadors will attend the summit and four five-star hotels have been booked for their stay.
Additional Commissioner (Law and Order) Rameshwar Singh said tight security arrangements have been made for the Prime Minister's visit to Jaipur and the summit.
"JECC campus has been converted into a security fortress. Tight security arrangements have been made in the entire city. During the event, two IPS and other police officers will see traffic management."
Apart from the inaugural and 'country sessions', the summit includes the Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave, MSME Conclave and thematic sessions for 12 sectors. Many experts from the country and the world, top officials of industry and business, and officials of the Central and Rajasthan governments will participate in these sessions and discuss major challenges, technological changes and emerging opportunities.
warns restaurants about adverse effects of in-dining deep discount
Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) on Monday cautioned restaurants regarding the potential long-term adverse effects of in-dining deep discount programmes and aggregator payment platforms.
According to the apex hotel industry body which represents more than 5 lakh restaurants, these programmes — while appearing beneficial in the short term — could threaten the economic stability and autonomy of restaurants and disrupt the restaurant ecosystem.
“Our industry is at a crossroads,
and the decisions we make now will shape the future of dine-in operations. Deep discounting may appear appealing in the short term, but they also pose long-term risks to restaurants' independence and viability, especially when mandatorily bundled with the aggregator’s payment gateway,” said Sagar Daryani, NRAI President.
Deep discounting has caused significant challenges in the food delivery market, and NRAI warned that similar tactics are being employed to capture the dine-in market through aggressive aggregator payment gateway adoption.
Aggregator payment gateways provide various issues for eateries. These networks reward clients with aggressive discounts and cashback, which are sometimes sponsored at
Adani Group most attractive among Indian corporates: Nomura report
Mumbai, Dec 9 (IANS) The Adani Portfolio of companies appear "most attractive" among Indian corporates, according to Japanese brokerage Nomura, as other Indian corporates stay at “expensive levels” compared to the Group companies.
In a new report, the global brokerage said that the ports-topower conglomerate will also be able to withstand recent turmoil brought on by allegations in an indictment by the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
“Adani complex looks most attractive among other IG (investment grade) corporates from India. Other Indian IG corporates stay at expensive levels vis a vis Adani complex,” the note read.
Nomura further commented that compared with the AdaniHindenburg episode in early 2023, “Adani Group’s liquidity management awareness has improved meaningfully and should be able to weather the rainstorm with adequate shortterm liquidity position.”
Nomura added that overall, no signs of stress are seen across the Adani Group and its fundamentals/asset quality remain intact.
“We believe the group should
be able to weather this round of rainstorm,” said the financial research firm.
As far as global banks halting their financial support to Adani companies is concerned, Nomura expects that it will not be a problem when the matter regarding DoJ allegations settles down. "Separately, the big three Japanese banks plan to continue their relationship with Adani group."
The DoJ indictment is only an allegation, Nomura said, citing Adani Management. The allegation does not constitute any breach in anti-corruption covenants. It could indicate a breach if found guilty.
Nomura did caution that “global banks might halt new financings in the short-term but should gradually resume in the longterm when the dust of the AdaniDoJ saga settles.”
“Separately, the Big Three Japanese banks plan to continue their relationship with Adani Group,” it added. The Big Three Japanese banks refer to MUFG, SMBC and Mizuho.
Nomura expects upside on bond prices for Adani Green Energy Ltd., Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., Adani International Container Terminal, Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd., Adani T-One Transmission Ltd., and Adani Renewable Energy Ltd. For Adani Green Energy, the prices may go up to 7 points, for others it sees 2 to 4 points, said the report.
Indian entertainment and media industry’s revenue to reach Rs 365,000 crore by 2028
the expense of the restaurants themselves.
However, restaurants must pay substantial commissions on transactions, ranging from 4-8 per cent, significantly higher than the 1-1.5 per cent charged by standard payment gateways.
The NRAI emphasised that deep discounting presents substantial economic hurdles to the restaurant business.
Unlimited and unsustainable discounts alter price structures, setting unreasonable expectations for customers and undervaluing the dining experience. These practices disproportionately affect small, independent enterprises, who lack the financial resources of larger, better-funded competitors, making it harder for them to compete and survive in the long run, said the industry body.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) The revenue of entertainment and media industry in the country is projected to reach Rs 365,000 crore by 2028, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3 per cent and outpacing the global rate of 4.6 per cent, a report showed on Monday.
Within the sector, advertising revenues is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4 per cent to reach Rs 1,58,000 crore by 2028, which is 1.4 times the global average of 6.7 per cent, according to PwC India’s report. Most of this growth will come from digital front (internet advertising).
Internet advertising in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6 per cent, reaching Rs 85,000 crore by 2028, the highest growth rate among the top 15 countries and 1.6 times the global average.
On the other hand, the online gaming and esports sector in the country is growing at a CAGR of 19.2 per cent and is projected to reach Rs 39,583 crore by 2028.
Meanwhile, OTT platform revenues in the country are projected to grow at a remarkable CAGR of 14.9 per cent, the highest among the top 15 countries, to reach Rs 35,061 crore.
“According to our ‘Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2024-2028’, key growth drivers such as digital advertising, OTT platforms, online gaming, and Generative AI are shaping the future of the industry,” said Manpreet Singh Ahuja, Chief Digital Officer and TMT Leader at PwC India.
With India’s improved connectivity, rising advertising revenues and favourable Government policies around foreign direct investment (FDI), the country is predicted to see one of the highest growth rates in the next five years. At present, India has 80 crore broadband subscriptions, 55 crore smartphone users and 78 crore internet users.
New
Australia India Business Council Announces Election of New National Chair and
National Vice Chair
The Australia India Business Council (AIBC), the leading organization dedicated to enhancing trade and investment between Australia and India, is pleased to announce the election of Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM as National Chair and Amritha Zacharia as National Vice Chair, each serving a two-year term.
Established in 1986 by the governments of Australia and India, AIBC has been instrumental in fostering bilateral relations
through its chapters across six Australian state capitals and its presence in India.
The newly elected leaders bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to advancing the Australia-India economic corridor. Their leadership is anticipated to further strengthen the Council’s role in promoting business opportunities and cultural ties between the two nations.
Mr Gupta commenting on his
election stated “As National Chair, I am deeply honoured by the trust you have placed in me to lead the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) into its next chapter. Over the years of active involvement with AIBC, I have witnessed its evolution into a trusted platform for fostering meaningful connections and creating mutual opportunities. Together, we will ensure that AIBC continues to thrive as a cornerstone for our members—enabling collaboration, driving growth, and unlocking new opportunities. I am committed to working closely with each of you to amplify the voice of our members, forge impactful partnerships, and further strengthen the AustraliaIndia relationship.”
Ms Zachariah commented on her election “ I am privileged to take on the role of National Vice Chair, committed to driving AIBC’s mission of strengthening the Australia-India partnership. My focus is to enable AIBC to deliver
high-impact opportunities for members—from small businesses to large enterprises—through purposeful partnerships and actionable innovation. With a clear emphasis on measurable outcomes and commercial growth, I aim to bring fresh perspectives, foster deep engagement, and build a dynamic platform that empowers our members to play a pivotal role in advancing the Australia-India business relationship”
AIBC extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing National Chair Jodi McKay and National Vice Chair Ravneet Pawha for their exemplary service and dedication. Under their stewardship, the Council achieved significant milestones, coinciding with pivotal developments in AustraliaIndia relations which included the signing of the AustraliaIndia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), the strengthening of the
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and enhanced collaboration through the Quad. The period also highlighted the growing contributions of the Indian diaspora, expanded cultural exchanges, and AIBC’s role in fostering bilateral trade and business opportunities, underscoring the deepening ties and mutual growth between the two nations.
Reflecting on her tenure, Ms. McKay stated, “It has been an honour to lead AIBC during such a transformative period in the Australia-India relationship. I am confident that the new leadership will continue to build on our achievements and further strengthen the ties between our two great nations.”
Ms Pawha said “As the Council embarks on this new chapter, it remains steadfast in its mission to facilitate meaningful dialogue and partnerships that drive mutual growth and prosperity for Australia and India.”
PM’s XI Gala Dinner celebrates Australia-India friendship through cricket
Canberra, December 5 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Recently,the iconic Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra set the stage for a dazzling celebration of Australia-India relations at the PM's XI Gala Dinner 2024. Co-hosted by the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) and Cricket ACT, the sold-out event drew over 400 distinguished guests, honouring the nations' shared passion for cricket and deep bilateral ties. The evening featured notable attendees such as former Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, ACT Opposition Leader Leanne Castley,
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley, and India’s Deputy High Commissioner Suneet Mehta. Cricket legends Ravi Shastri, Tim Paine, and Scott Boland enthralled the audience with stories of their careers, highlighting cricket's unique role in fostering connections between the two nations.
Assistant Minister Julian Hill, representing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, delivered the keynote Australia-India Address, emphasizing how cricket unites governments, businesses, and communities, transcending boundaries and fostering collaboration.
Adding cultural flair, Bollywood
dancers delighted attendees, celebrating Indian heritage in the heart of Australia’s Parliament House. The gala also underscored the growing partnership between the two nations across key sectors such as minerals, defence, infrastructure, and education.
The Australia India Business Council and Cricket ACT emphasized the importance of events like the PM's XI Gala Dinner in strengthening bilateral ties, celebrating shared values, and fostering meaningful dialogues. The evening stood as a testament to the enduring friendship between Australia and India, celebrating the spirit of cricket while envisioning a collaborative future.
Australia-India roundtable explores collaboration on UN SDGs
Melbourne, December 9
(Australia India News Newsdesk)
A recent roundtable hosted by the Australia India Institute in partnership with Universities Australia at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) focused on the past and ongoing research collaborations between Australia and India through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda.
Both nations have made significant commitments towards achieving the SDGs.
The Australian Government has emphasized its dedication to these global targets through the National Sustainable Development Goals Summits of 2016 and 2018, aiming for SDG implementation across various levels, including states and regional communities.
Similarly, India has embedded the SDGs into its national
development agenda, prioritizing 62 key indicators to meet the goals by 2030.
Australia’s impressive performance in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Global Impact Rankings, where it had the highest number of universities in the top ten, underscores its growing commitment to SDGs through research, outreach, and teaching. India, too, featured prominently in these rankings
with 96 higher education and research institutions contributing to the global SDG movement. However, the roundtable also highlighted the minimal alignment between Australia and India’s research priorities and their corresponding SDG contributions, with Australian researchers often pursuing SDGrelated work driven by personal motivation rather than structured incentives. Experts noted that
a lack of clear incentives and standardized methodologies in Australian research grants has hindered more systematic integration of the SDGs in collaborative research between the two nations.
The session provided a valuable platform for academic leaders and policymakers to reflect on these challenges and discuss ways to strengthen Australia-India research collaboration in pursuit of the SDGs.
Women-in-blue honoured at Brisbane reception
Brisbane, December 7 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Institute for Australia India Engagement (IAIE) leadership team, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Brisbane, recently hosted a grand reception for the Indian Women’s Cricket Team at the prestigious Brisbane Club.
The event celebrated the remarkable achievements of
the women in blue, who have consistently showcased their passion, skill, and resilience on the global cricketing stage.
The evening was filled with heartfelt tributes to the athletes, emphasizing their role as trailblazers who inspire future generations, both on and off the field.
The Indian women’s cricket team has been a beacon of hope and empowerment, breaking
barriers and redefining the narrative of women in sports. Their dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to bring pride to their nation and serve as a powerful symbol of possibility and progress.
The reception at the Brisbane Club highlighted not only the team’s accomplishments but also the strong cultural and sporting ties between India and Australia.
Attendees included prominent community leaders, sports enthusiasts, and members of the Indian diaspora, all united in their admiration for the team’s efforts.
As the team looks ahead to their upcoming challenges, the words of encouragement and support from this memorable evening will undoubtedly fuel their pursuit of further success.
Brisbane Super Kings celebrate success at Annual Awards Night
Brisbane, December 9 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Brisbane Super Kings (BSK) hosted their Annual Awards Night at Algester State School, recently, marking a grand celebration of cricketing achievements and community spirit.
The event brought together an impressive gathering of 500 junior players, 650 senior players, and members of the broader cricket community, solidifying BSK’s reputation as the thirdlargest cricket club in the Metro Southwest region.
Sathish Rajendran and his dedicated team ensured the evening was a memorable showcase of talent, teamwork, and passion for the sport.
The ceremony honoured the exceptional performances of players across all age groups,
FICQ
highlighting their contributions to the club's success.
Attendees expressed pride in BSK’s growth and its role in fostering a love for cricket within the community. The event also emphasized the club's commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting inclusivity in sports.
As BSK continues to grow, the Annual Awards Night served as a reminder of the club’s mission to unite cricket enthusiasts and create a platform for players to excel on and off the field.
hosts productive forum with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
Brisbane, December 4 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ) recently hosted a successful follow-up to its inaugural President’s Forum, drawing an impressive turnout from community leaders.
The event was graced by the presence of the Right Honourable Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who engaged actively with attendees. Community leaders openly shared their needs and challenges, while the Lord Mayor provided valuable insights and addressed their concerns with thoughtful responses.
The interactive session highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Indian community and local leadership.
FICQ expressed gratitude to the Lord Mayor for his participation and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue through future forums.
Department of Home Affairs hosts end-of-year community leaders event
Brisbane, December 11 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Regional Director North (QLD/NT) of the Department of Home Affairs, Queensland, hosted a remarkable End-of-Year Community Leaders event on December 9, 2024, at the Alan
Border Field – Captains Room.
Regional Director Charlie Shandil delivered a powerful address, emphasizing the invaluable contributions of multicultural communities to Australia's vibrant fabric. Shandil’s speech highlighted the importance of
fostering inclusivity, harmony, and a shared sense of belonging through events like these, which reinforce unity in diversity.
The evening featured an uplifting performance by Hello Africa, whose lively entertainment left guests feeling joyous and
inspired. The event provided attendees with a platform to reflect on the past year, strengthen connections, and collaboratively plan for the future.
This gathering celebrated Australia's multicultural spirit, underscoring the Department of Home Affairs’ commitment
to creating opportunities that promote understanding, integration, and a shared vision for the nation. Leaders from diverse communities expressed gratitude for the event and affirmed their dedication to building a more united and inclusive Australia.
CBA and ICICI Bank partner to strengthen Australia-India business relations
Canberra, December 11 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has formed a strategic alliance with ICICI Bank, a leading private-sector bank in India, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership aims to support customers engaged in the Australia-India corridor, facilitating business expansion, trade, and banking services
between the two countries.
The MoU was formally executed by Mike Vacy-Lyle, Group Executive of Business Banking at CBA, and Rakesh Jha, Executive Director at ICICI Bank, recently.
The collaboration will allow both banks to connect corporate clients interested in investing or setting up businesses in each other's markets, while also offering comprehensive banking services to individuals migrating
between Australia and India. Mike Vacy-Lyle expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with ICICI Bank is designed to ease cross-border trade and foster economic prosperity for both nations. We recognize the challenges businesses face when operating in foreign markets, and through this partnership, we will provide customers with access to ICICI Bank's expertise and services.”
In an effort to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, CBA is hosting workshops in Sydney and Brisbane this week. ICICI Bank has been invited to participate, offering valuable guidance on trade opportunities and strategies to enhance the economic relationship between Australia and India.
The announcement comes amid increasing economic
cooperation between the two countries. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into effect on December 29, 2022, has made significant strides in facilitating trade. Under the agreement, 85% of Australian goods exports to India and 96% of imports from India are now tarifffree, with further reductions planned in the coming years. Moreover, negotiations are underway for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which aims to strengthen the trade and investment ties between Australia and India even further.
Rakesh Jha of ICICI Bank noted the growing appeal of India as a destination for foreign investments, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and technology. “This partnership seeks to tap into these opportunities and provide a range
of banking services designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals in both countries,” he said.
The partnership between CBA and ICICI Bank is expected to enhance bilateral trade relations and provide businesses and individuals with more efficient banking solutions for crossborder transactions, investments, and business growth. Both banks are committed to strengthening their customers’ experiences while contributing to the continued growth of the Australia-India business corridor.
Unraveling ancient connections: India and Australia’s shared past
By Australia India News Newsdesk
Exploring the historical ties between India and Australia reveals fascinating insights, particularly when examined through the lens of ancient texts like the Ramayana and mysterious landmarks such as the Gympie Pyramid near Brisbane. These links suggest cultural exchanges that predate modern history, potentially rooted in mythological and maritime connections.
The Ramayana's Australian connection
In the Ramayana, Lord Rama’s search for Sita after her abduction by Ravana describes intriguing locations, some of which align with Australian geography. The narrative refers to "Yava Dvipam" (commonly associated with Java) and subsequent landmarks such as a mountain piercing the heavens and waters akin to the Coral Sea. The "Shalmali" trees mentioned could correspond to flora on Fraser Island, and the "gigantic, peak-like structure" resembles the Gympie Pyramid, thought to have been created by the celestial architect Vishwakarma. These details hint at a sophisticated understanding of geography and possibly ancient exploratory voyages east of India.
The Gympie Pyramid and its mysteries
Located near Gympie in Queensland, the Gympie Pyramid is often linked to ancient civilizations due to its terraced structure. Although debated, theories propose that it was either a sacred site or a marker of early Indian or Southeast Asian settlers in Australia. Some accounts also connect this pyramid to a global network of sacred sites built by ancient architects, reflecting advanced knowledge of construction and astronomy. Historical and maritime interactions
Ancient Indian seafarers were known for their maritime prowess, trading extensively with Southeast Asia. It's plausible that these explorers ventured further to Australia, exchanging goods, ideas, and cultural practices. The
use of Sanskritic terms, such as "Astralaya" to refer to Australia in some texts, adds credibility to this theory. Artifacts resembling Hindu deities discovered in northern Australia further support the possibility of early Indian influence. Shared symbolism and artifacts Artifacts and symbols in both Indian and Australian Aboriginal cultures exhibit striking similarities. For example, Aboriginal rock art depicting large serpentine figures resembles the Indian Naga motifs, symbolizing fertility and protection. Such parallels may indicate a shared spiritual or cultural framework, possibly through contact or parallel evolution.
A cultural and mythological bridge
These connections between India and Australia challenge conventional historical narratives, suggesting a rich tapestry of shared human heritage. The blending of myth, geography, and artifacts opens avenues for interdisciplinary research, combining archaeology, linguistics, and mythology to uncover ancient links. These interactions paint a picture of two civilizations possibly meeting across vast oceans, leaving traces in stories, structures, and shared symbols. As research progresses, the fascinating ties between Indian and Australian ancient histories continue to inspire curiosity and debate.
Indian jute exporters explore opportunities at Sydney trade meet
Sydney, December 4 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
Indian jute exporters unveiled a range of sustainable and innovative products at a Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) organized by the Indian Jute Products
Development & Export Promotion Council (JPDEPC) under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme of the Government of India.
The event, held in Sydney, recently was inaugurated by
Consul (Commercial) at the Consulate General of India Nirav Sutariya. During his visit, Sutariya interacted with Indian exhibitors, discussing strategies to tap into Australia’s growing demand for eco-friendly products.
A variety of jute innovations were
on display, including fashionable bags and multipurpose diversified products designed to meet the preferences of Australian consumers. The showcase underscored India’s expertise in combining traditional materials with modern designs to appeal to global markets.
The meet aimed to foster stronger trade ties between India and Australia, promoting environmentally friendly solutions while creating new opportunities for Indian exporters in the region.
APSA 2024: A glimpse into Asia-Pacific’s cinematic brilliance
Brisbane, November 30
(Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Gold Coast was buzzing with excitement as the AsiaPacific Screen Awards (APSA) 2024 unfolded, bringing together some of the most remarkable filmmakers from across the region. It was an evening filled with stunning achievements, where films and talents that captured the heart and soul of diverse cultures were celebrated. One of the biggest wins of the night went to Georgian director Tato Kotetishvili, whose film Holy Electricity took home the Best
Director award. The dark comedy, set in post-Soviet Georgia, explores family, faith, and survival with both humor and serious social commentary. It’s a perfect blend of personal struggles set against a changing world, and Kotetishvili’s distinctive storytelling approach earned praise from critics and audiences alike.
The Best Documentary award went to No Other Land, which shed light on the ongoing Israeli military occupation in the West Bank. Directed by Basel Adra and a team of Palestinian
and Israeli filmmakers, this gripping documentary offers an unflinching look at the destruction of the Masafer Yatta area and the resilience of its people, providing a raw perspective on a deeply complex issue.
In the world of animation, The Missing clinched the Best Animated Film award. Directed by Carl Joseph Papa, this adult sci-fi film takes viewers on a journey into a dystopian future where a woman uncovers a painful truth about her society. The handdrawn animation added layers
of emotion, making this film a visual and narrative standout in its category.
Meanwhile, Michaël Capron’s breathtaking cinematography in Mongrel, a Taiwanese drama, earned him the Best Cinematography award. Capron’s work captured the raw beauty of Taiwan’s landscapes while complementing the intimate, emotional story of a boy trying to reconnect with his family. It’s a film where the visuals truly enhance the storytelling.
The Best Screenplay award went to Selman Nacar for Hesitation
Wound, a psychological thriller that dives deep into moral dilemmas. Nacar’s sharp script explored the tension between right and wrong, with a gripping narrative that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
The night was a testament to the strength and diversity of AsiaPacific cinema, showcasing a blend of traditional storytelling, cutting-edge animation, and powerful documentaries.
The APSA 2024 was not just a celebration of individual talent, but also of the region’s rich cultural tapestry that continues to make waves on the global stage.
of Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM as National Chair and Amritha Zachariah as National Vice Chair, both set to serve a two-year term.
With extensive experience and a shared vision, Gupta and Zachariah aim to steer AIBC towards fostering stronger economic ties within the Australia-India corridor. Their leadership will be pivotal in further strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
AIBC expressed gratitude to outgoing leaders Jodi McKay and Ravneet Pawha for their remarkable contributions during a transformative period for Australia-India relations. Their efforts have been instrumental in enhancing collaboration and mutual understanding.
The announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for AIBC, promising continued dedication to advancing the dynamic partnership between Australia and India.
Sydney, December 9 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Australia India Business Council (AIBC) has announced the election
Indian artists shine in Perth’s ‘The Crimson Gully’ theatre production
Perth, December 9 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Great Indian Theatre Company recently captivated audiences with their latest production, The Crimson Gully, at a local performance
in Perth. Written and directed by the renowned creative guru Sreekanth Gopalakrishnan, the play showcased a powerful narrative of resilience, love, betrayal, and the indomitable spirit of women who defy the odds.
The production featured a talented ensemble of 16 cast members and a dedicated crew of 13, predominantly from Indian backgrounds. Presented in English, the play was crafted
to appeal to a broader Western Australian audience, bridging cultural narratives with universal themes.
With its gripping storyline and stellar performances, The Crimson Gully underscored
the artistic contributions of the Indian community in Perth, further strengthening crosscultural connections through the medium of theatre.
The Australia India Sports Engagement event, organized by the Australia India Business Council of Western Australia and the City of Perth, recently, showcased the growing potential for collaboration between the two nations in the field of sports.
Supported by the Consulate of India in Perth, the event featured a keynote address by Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi. Prominent attendees included Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Bruce Reynolds, CEO of the City of Perth Michelle Reynolds, and Cr Raj Doshi, who represented Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas.
The highlight of the event was an insightful panel discussion featuring renowned sports personalities and experts, including Australian cricketer and Mumbai Indians player Jason Behrendorff, Olympic hockey penalty corner specialist Chris Ciriello, former GM of Port Adelaide Football Club Andrew
Hunter, and Leena Walavalkar, Global Head of Technology Innovation at Tata Consultancy Services.
Moderated by Michael Carter, Head of International Engagement and Trade at CCIWA, the panel explored opportunities to deepen sports engagement, emphasizing the role of sports in
fostering stronger bilateral ties and cultural exchange.
The event underscored the significant role of sports diplomacy in enhancing collaboration between Australia and India, providing a platform to strengthen community ties and promote mutual growth in the sports sector.
Perth celebrates India’s cultural heritage with Jagannath Rath Yatra
Perth, December 9 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The streets of Perth came alive with devotion and joy recently as the Jagannath Rath Yatra, organized by ISKCON Perth - Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Temple, brought together the Indian community and local residents in a vibrant celebration.
The event was graced by Consul General Amarjeet Singh Takhi and
Dr. Jags MLA, who joined devotees in the spiritual procession. The yatra resonated with chants of Harinaam and spirited dances, embodying the essence of devotion and divine love.
This annual festival celebrates India’s rich cultural heritage and provides an opportunity for Western Australia’s multicultural society to experience the grandeur of Lord Jagannath’s Rath
Yatra. The procession showcased the unity and inclusiveness of the Indian diaspora, fostering greater cultural understanding and harmony in Perth.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is a testament to the enduring appeal of India’s spiritual traditions, bringing together people from all walks of life to share in its joy and devotion.
Consul General meets Victorian Governor at End-of- Year reception
Melbourne, December 11
(Australia India News Newsdesk)
Consul General of India, Dr. Sushil Kumar, recently met with the Governor of Victoria,
Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, at the End-of-Year reception hosted at Government House for the Consular Corps in Melbourne.
During the event, Dr. Kumar and Governor Gardner discussed avenues for strengthening ties between India and Victoria, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange, trade, and
community partnerships. The event highlighted the strong multicultural spirit of Victoria and the role of consular officials in enhancing international
collaboration. Dr. Kumar's participation underscored India's commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with the state of Victoria.
Consul General (CG) Dr. Sushil Kumar recently visited the Dookie Campus of the University of Melbourne to discuss enhancing collaboration between Indian institutions and the university in key sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, veterinary science, and food sciences.
During the visit, Dr. Kumar met with Ros Gall, Campus
Director, and faculty members to explore opportunities for deeper academic and research partnerships. The discussions focused on fostering joint initiatives that could benefit both countries, especially in the areas of sustainable agriculture and advanced research.
Dr. Kumar also took the opportunity to interact with Indian students pursuing their PhD programs at the campus.
He expressed his support for their academic endeavors and highlighted the importance of strengthening educational and research exchanges between India and Australia.
The visit underscored the growing importance of academic and research collaborations between the two nations, particularly in the fields that are critical to both economies.
Australia-India Leaders Breakfast: A celebration of cricket & collaboration
Brisbane, December 14 (Australia India News Newsdesk)
The Allan Border Field in Albion recently hosted the prestigious Leaders Breakfast, an event that brought together influential figures from business, sports, and politics. The gathering offered a unique opportunity for meaningful networking, discussions on the upcoming Gabba Test 2024, and an unforgettable chance to meet cricketing legends.
One of the highlights of the event was an inspiring address by Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment, and Training,
Rosslyn Bates MP. Her speech focused on the ever-deepening ties between Australia and India, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in fostering economic and cultural exchanges. The event also underscored the role of cricket as a powerful symbol of unity between the two
nations. Often described as a shared passion, cricket continues to strengthen bonds beyond the field, fueling not only sporting camaraderie but also broader connections in trade, investment, and tourism.
The Leaders Breakfast served as a celebration of the growing
Australia-India partnership and showcased how sport, particularly cricket, can transcend boundaries to create lasting relationships. As the two countries gear up for the much-anticipated Gabba Test 2024, the event set the tone for a future marked by closer ties and mutual growth.
Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar recently hosted Maithili Thakur, the renowned Indian singer and winner of the Cultural Ambassador Award for 2024, during her visit to Melbourne.
Thakur, celebrated for her soulful performances in multiple Indian languages, captivated audiences at the iconic Federation Square in a special event organized by ALWAYS LIVE.
Her performance showcased the richness of India's cultural
diversity, resonating deeply with the local community. Thakur’s ability to blend traditional and contemporary music elements made the evening a memorable experience for all attendees.
In addition to her concert, Thakur participated in the celebration of
Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurav at the Victorian parliament, where she was felicitated by parliamentarians John Pesutto and Pauline Richards MP. The event highlighted her outstanding contributions to promoting Indian culture on the global stage.
Thakur's visit and performances in Melbourne further strengthen the cultural ties between India and Australia, celebrating the shared values of diversity and artistic expression.
Asia-Pacific Screen Awards 2024: A triumph of global talent in Gold Coast
Brisbane, November 30
(Australia India News Newsdesk)
The 2024 Asia-Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) held in Gold Coast, on November 30, 2024, celebrated the outstanding achievements in filmmaking from across the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. The event, renowned for recognizing cinematic excellence, was a night filled with stories that reflected the diversity and creativity emerging from this vibrant part of the world.
One of the biggest winners of the night was To Kill a Mongolian Horse, which earned the Best Director award for director Xiaoxuan Jiang. The film was lauded for its powerful
exploration of contemporary Mongolian society, offering a nuanced perspective on the nation's evolving cultural landscape. Jiang’s direction was praised for its ability to capture the complexities of the region with striking precision and emotional depth.
In the Best Performance category, Ia Sukhitashvili took home the award for her riveting portrayal of a woman grappling with inner turmoil and external pressures in April, directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili. The Georgian film’s intimate exploration of societal constraints and personal liberation was made all the more compelling by Sukhitashvili’s remarkable performance.
Best Animated Film went to The Missing, a poignant and visually arresting piece by Filipino director Carl Joseph Papa. The animated film, which blends emotional storytelling with artistic brilliance, explores themes of loss and recovery, making it a standout in this year's competition.
India also made its mark at the awards with Boong, directed by Lakshmipriya Devi. The film won the Best Youth Film award, recognized for its fresh perspective on the struggles of young people and their relationships. Boong captivated the audience with its ability to address real-life issues with sincerity and depth.
Meanwhile, Mongrel, featuring cinematography by Michaël Capron, claimed the Best Cinematography award for its breathtaking visuals. The film’s cinematography played a pivotal role in intensifying its themes of survival and self-discovery, showcasing Capron’s ability to enhance the emotional gravity of the narrative through visual storytelling.
Besides these award categories, New Zealand actor and producer Cliff Curtis was presented with the prestigious FIAPF Award, which recognizes significant contributions to cinema across the Asia Pacific. Curtis, known for his roles in films like Whale Rider and The Dark Horse,
expressed gratitude for the honor, acknowledging the power of storytelling in fostering crosscultural understanding. Curtis’s involvement in both indigenous and international films has made him a key figure in bringing diverse voices to the screen.
The APSA 2024 ceremony highlighted the diverse voices and talents that continue to shape the global film industry, making it clear that the Asia-Pacific region remains a vital hub for cinematic innovation. With a mix of powerful narratives, striking visuals, and strong performances, this year’s APSA winners exemplified the incredible creativity flourishing across the region.
Gukesh comes from nowhere to become the king and starts his era
Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS) In a sport in which age is just a number, a nine-year-old can hope to become a Grandmaster and a 50-year-old can aspire to win the biggest title. But the World Champion in the classical format is still a revered deity and usually a player with years behind him.
In the history of the World Chess Championship stretching from 1860 till date, chess has had only 17 World Champions in the classical format with Garry Kasparov of Russia being the youngest World Champion at 22 years, four decades back in1985.
On Thursday, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju broke the glass ceiling and became the 18th World Champion and youngest ever, beating China's Ding Liren of China in a 14-game World Chess Championship final match
in Singapore, capitalising on a blunder from a drawish position by his opponent in the 14th and last game to win the 2024 World Chess Championship match 7.56.5.
This completes a remarkable and magical journey for Gukesh who watched the Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand lose the World Chess Championship in their home town Chennai to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in 2013. He vowed to one day bring back the World Chess Championship title to India.
On Thursday, Gukesh fulfilled that dream by beating Ding Liren in the winner-takes-all 14th and final game at the Resort World Sentosa in Singapore, capping an incredible year in which he became the youngest winner of the Candidates Tournament, helped India win the gold medal in the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest and also won a gold medal at the Olympic, finishing with 9 points in 10 rounds. He had the highest performance rating of 3056 among all players in the tournament.
Born in a Telugu-speaking family in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on May 29, 2006, Gukesh learned chess from his cousins at the age of seven and was soon beating those who taught him the game.
Seeing his potential, his ENT surgeon father Dr. Rajinikanth and mother Dr. Padma, decided to help him pursue his dream of playing chess. One of them started accompanying Gukesh as he started playing the junior and age-group circuit, becoming the World Champion in two categories -- U-9 in 2015 and U-12 in 2017.
After initial success as a subjunior player, Gukesh took up coaching with Grandmaster Vishnu Prassana and his life changed as this student of Velammal Vidyalaya School, Chennai transformed into a champion player and went on to become the second-youngest Grandmaster in the history of the game at the age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days. The record has since been beaten by Abhimanyu Mishra, making Gukesh the third-youngest GM ever.
Scheffler retains Hero World Challenge title to record 9th win of the year
Albany (US), Dec 9 (IANS) Scottie
Scheffler defended his Hero World Challenge title with a 9-under 63, finishing at 25-under-par 263 and capped a remarkable year with a record ninth win of the season.
Scheffler defeated Tom Kim (68) by six and playing partner Justin Thomas (71) by seven at Albany Golf Club. In four career
appearances in Albany, he has finished as runner-up twice and twice hoisted the trophy. He became the third to successfully defend his Hero title, after Hovland (2021-22) and Woods (2006-07).
Scheffler won seven PGA Tour titles this year, among them his second Masters in three years. He became the first ever to successfully defend his title at THE PLAYERS Championship and owned the Signature Events, capturing four of them.
He also won the Olympic gold medal in Paris, won the FedExCup, is the presumed Player
of the Year, and now has earned his second Hero title in as many years.
"I think it’s been a great year. It’s been a fun year,” Scheffler said.
“I’ve been fortunate to get some wins out of some really good golf. This was another week where I played really solid and was able to see some nice results from that. Overall, it was a pretty fun year," Scheffler said.
Scheffler was near perfect during the second and final rounds. His bogey-free 64 on Friday and his 9-under 63 on Sunday were the best rounds posted both days.
World Champion Gukesh thanks parents for helping him achieve his dream
the youngest World Chess Champion, thanked his parents Dr Rajnikanth and Dr Padma for the sacrifices they made to help him in his journey as
a chess player.
Soon after he climbed up to the chess summit by beating Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship final match in China 7.5-6.5 by capitalising on a blunder by his opponent in the 14th and final classical game, Gukesh said his parents have made a lot of sacrifices to nurture his dream.
"My parents are both sports lovers but could not pursue their dreams. So, they decided that they would do their best to help me chase my dream in whichever field I chose. We do not come from a very well-off family so they
Paddy Upton: The mind behind Gukesh’s historic World Chess Championship triumph
New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) From the cricket field to the hockey pitch, Paddy Upton has carved a legacy as a master of mental conditioning. His latest feather in the cap comes from the chess board, where he played a pivotal role in helping Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju claim the World Chess Championship title on Thursday, becoming the youngest world champion in history.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh’s victory against reigning champion Ding Liren of China marked a monumental achievement, as he became only the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to hold the title. Behind the scenes of this incredible feat was Upton, the South African mental conditioning expert renowned for shaping champions across disciplines.
The collaboration between Upton and Gukesh began in mid-2024, facilitated by Anand and WestBridge-Anand Chess Academy (WACA). Recognising the mental challenges of competitive chess, WACA sought an expert to prepare Gukesh for the psychological rigours of a high-stakes World Championship. Sandeep Singhal, WACA’s cofounder, identified Upton as the ideal fit due to his stellar track record with elite athletes.
Though Gukesh already had a formidable team of chess experts, including Polish gMs Grzegorz Gajewski and Jan-Krzysztof Duda, India's Pentala Harikrishna and German GM Vincent Keymer, the mentorship of Vishnu Prasanna besides the guidance of Viswanathan Anand, it was clear that a mental conditioning coach was essential for the young prodigy to excel at the highest level.
had to make a lot of sacrifices to help me in his journey," said Gukesh during the post-match press conference.
Gukesh's father Dr Rajnikanth is an ENT surgeon while his mother Dr. Padma is a microbiologist. They had to put their careers on hold to accompany Gukesh as he played in tournaments in India and abroad. Arranging for trainers was another big expense that his parents had to bear as they got him enrolled with Grandmaster Vishnu Prassana and then got foreign coaches for big tournaments.
"We always discussed psychology as a prominent feature, even in our training. And to bring in somebody with the expertise of Paddy (Upton) was very important. It was arrived by Vishy (Viswanathan Anand) and WACA (WestBridge Anand Chess Academy). I had a book written by Paddy. It's called the Barefoot Coach and I've read it a few times and I take notes from it for my own training sessions as well because he's one of the best in whatever he does," Vishnu Prasanna, Gukesh’s coach and mentor since 2017, told IANS on Friday. Gukesh may have liked something from those teachings that made him agree to the suggestion.
One of Upton’s first challenges was addressing Gukesh’s sleep irregularities, a common issue among chess players who often endure late-night games and high-stress situations. His father Dr. Rajnikanth highlighted the importance of this intervention. Through tailored strategies, Upton not only improved Gukesh’s sleep but also instilled a routine that optimised his energy levels during critical matches. For Upton, the cornerstone of his approach was preparation. Over six months, he and Gukesh worked to develop a mindset geared toward consistency and confidence. The aim was to ensure that during the World Championship Match, Gukesh could execute his plans independently with minimal input from Upton. “I’ve been speaking to him once a week for the last six months, just preparing him to manage his mind for a big event,” Upton shared after Gukesh's win. “The idea was to equip him so well that he’d need little to no input during the 14 games of the championship.” One of Upton’s key lessons for Gukesh was to avoid the trap of trying to do something extraordinary on the big stage. “One of the biggest mistakes newcomers make at big events is thinking they need to do something special,” Upton explained. “The key is consistency – doing what you’ve been doing really well, one move at a time.” This philosophy allowed Gukesh to remain calm under pressure, even during the most intense moments of the championship. His ability to maintain focus and make calculated moves, without succumbing to the emotional highs and lows of the tournament, set him apart from his peers. Upton’s preparation bore fruit as Gukesh demonstrated remarkable composure throughout the championship. The South African coach revealed that their limited communication during the event was a testament to Gukesh’s readiness. “We hardly spoke during his time at the World Championship, which I’m super happy about. It suggests that he knows what he needs to do and is just unrolling the plans we created together,” Upton said. In the decisive 14th game against Ding Liren, Gukesh displayed nerves of steel. He capitalised on opportunities, avoided reckless risks, and emerged victorious, cementing his place in chess history. While Upton’s mental conditioning was instrumental, Gukesh’s success was also a result of his broader support system. Vishnu Prasanna, who coached Gukesh from his early days as a Candidate Master in 2017, and the WestBridge-Anand Chess Academy played crucial roles in shaping his technical and strategic skills.
Singapore, Dec 12 (IANS) On the day of his greatest triumph, Gukesh Dommaraju,
Cities & forests merge into a dreamscape in Poonam Bhatnagar’s solo exhibition
Subtle yet tantalising, the paintings of Shiva, Saraswati playing the veena, a glimpse of Venice, and yesteryear's actor Madhubala with her bewitching smile -- artist Poonam Bhatnagar's solo exhibition in the national capital will encompass all that and more.
Brushed with a delicate mix of colours, Bhatnagar’s 24 paintings under the title ‘Between Dreams’ will be exhibited at the Bikaner House from April 12 to 17.
A trained textile designer, she brings a peculiar style into her work using minute strokes and a delicate palette of colours.
“I call this ‘web cast’ -- inspired by a spider’s web," says Bhatnagar.
Preferring to work on large
canvases, the artist feels she has much to say and show.
“That is why most of my works are huge,” she adds.
Preparing for this exhibition for the past two years, her painting of Saraswati is a 6x4 feet canvas showing the goddess playing the veena, while ‘Shiva Shakti’, done on a 4.5x4 feet canvas, has a three-dimensional effect, as the vertical and horizontal geometric lines merge with the squares and waves.
While she has participated in several group shows before, this is her first solo wherein through the series ‘Cityscapes’, she encapsulates her experiences of the sights of London, Venice, Zurich, and Ladakh, among other
places.
In ‘Vriksha’, the artist has merged her web design style with normal brush strokes.
Bhatnagar’s ‘Pensive Portrait’ series includes portraits of yesteryear's actors -- Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Suchitra Sen, and Madhabi Mukherjee, done mostly in black and white.
Talking about the web-like design style, the artist points out, “Initially, the lines used to be thicker but now they have become finer, intricate, and ‘closer’. The style has evolved.”
Bhatnagar says the painting ‘Ladakh’ is “completely covered with webcast”, with the fine lines raised, giving it a threedimensional effect. “You can feel it. Photos do not really do justice to my paintings,” she adds. Talking about the artist’s unique style, curator Uma Nair says, “Not texture, but illusion would be the right word to describe her work. Looking at her paintings in the ‘Mythos’ and ‘Cityscapes’ sections from a distance, the multiple layers create a peculiar visual experience.”
The exhibition presented by Masha Art will be inaugurated by noted filmmaker Muzaffar Ali.
Shrine Empire gallery to present Chris Basumatary’s debut solo exhibition from April 12
exhibition of Chris Basumatary titled ‘I have so much poetry inside me, but it is in the wrong language’ from April 12 to May 11.
Basumatary, who grew up next to a rivulet (Chota Rangeet) near Darjeeling in West Bengal, has developed an intimate
relationship with water. For Basumatary, art is a channel to speak about the intricacies of trans-identity through the concepts of water, stone, and flesh.
The exhibition will present a glimpse of the memories, desires, and fears of the artist.
India-adaption of Caryl Churchill’s play to take center stage
The National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai present the first-ever professional production of Love and Information, in collaboration with award-winning director – Mohit Takalkar. Written in 2012 by celebrated British playwright Caryl Churchill, Love & Information is a creative and experimental presentation that delves into the contemporary lives of the present society through an unconventional yet immersive theatrical experience. The play is set to invite the audience to the Experimental Theatre from April 25 - 29.
Written as a series of over 50 disparate scenes divided into seven sections, the play is an exercise in reimagining the medium. The disruptive format of the script provides no stage directions, no character attributions and no notes for performance. Additionally, the play follows a non- linear narrative and is devoid of central characters, emphasizing the cumulative impact of diverse, brief scenes ranging from seconds to minutes. The scenes are of varying lengths and the structure allows for the viewer to narrow in on a world oversaturated with information. The vignettes mirror the rapid pace of channel-hopping or scrolling through social media, highlighting potential implications for relationships in an era dominated by instant
gratification and short attention spans.
The play doesn’t limit itself to its technical uniqueness but also promises to challenge the audience by addressing a wide range of subjects covered from mental illness to privacy erosion to memory atrophy that cloud the modern-day lifestyles.
Speaking about the first-ever professional production of Love and Information, Mr. Bruce Guthrie, Head, Theatre and Films, NCPA, expressed, “The NCPA is delighted to welcome Mohit Takalkar to direct Love & Information by Carol Churchill. She is a true trailblazing playwright in every sense of the word and is known as something of a disruptor of English theatre. She rarely, if ever, talks about her work, where the inspiration comes from and why she does what she does. She constantly reinvents her style as a playwright and explores what more theatre can be.
It is a matter of pride and joy to pull off this combination of two extraordinary artistes – writer and director to realise this quite extraordinary play. We hope that the audience will come with a curious mind and an open heart as we continue to create theatre that challenges and inspires.”
The ensemble cast comprises of Ashish Mehta, Dusha Madhav, Kashish Saluja, Lovleen Misra, Mahesh Saini, Mallika Singh Hanspal, Mrinmayee Godbole, Prajesh Kashyap, Rachel D’souza, Rytasha Rathore, Siddhesh Dhuri, who will be performing around 50 scenes in rotation. Love and Information most definitely promises to be a must-attend theatrical show this summer.
Stop cribbing all the time, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra tells ‘airy’ independent filmmakers
With almost a smooth furious glance, he says that it is high time that independent filmmakers stop cribbing about the fact that their films do not get theatrical releases or accepted by OTT platforms anymore. Stressing that for decades everyone has given preference to big budgets and well-known stars, National Award-winning filmmaker Sudhir Mishra asserts that like life, filmmaking is also about negotiating spaces perpetually
With almost a smooth furious glance, he says that it is high time that independent filmmakers stop cribbing about the fact that their films do not get theatrical releases or accepted by OTT platforms anymore. Stressing that for decades everyone has given preference to big budgets and well-known stars, National Award-winning filmmaker Sudhir Mishra asserts that like life, filmmaking is also about negotiating spaces perpetually. "It costs a lot of money to make films and release them. Anyways, these so-called independent filmmakers are too airy. But the
moment Karan Johar invites them for lunch, everybody will stand in a queue. Boss, it is a practical industry, and learn to live with that fact. Like life, there are no perfect situations or ideals around here.
"A poet also has to feed his children, and he realises that and works towards it. Stop cribbing all the time -- I am so intelligent, such a nice guy, still my films don't get distributed. The world owes you nothing,” laments Mishra.
"These independent guys need to realise that they are against the big boys. It is not easy to fight them. Sure, some crumbs may be thrown once in a while.
After three outings at Cannes, filmmaker Murli Nair had to stop making films. Where is he now? It is a tough world out there," says
the filmmaker best known for his films like 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi', 'Dharavi', 'Chameli', 'Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin' and 'Khoya Khoya Chand.
Making his directorial debut with the film, 'Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin' in 1987 which won him a National Film Award, Mishra, talking about his cult classic 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi', says he did not have to do any research while writing the film as he had grown up in the time when naxalism was at its peak and knew many of them.
"I come from Lucknow and to a large extent my world-view is Ghalib. Naxalism was in the air and I was very influenced by playwright Badal Sircar with whom I visited every area of Bengal where people were influenced by that ideology.
Besides, I come from a Nehruvian family, and we were close to the Congress. I bet I know more about the Congress of that time than any journalist even. I have seen the emergence of fixers, observed machinations up close, and student politics of that era."
Mishra says he is the 'Geeta' (female lead) in the film. "Because I am neither a Naxalite nor a fixer. Like her, I am the centre, and I have touched my feminine side often. Yes, I knew many Geetas.."
All his films have a strong sociopolitical base, something which he says comes naturally to him.
"It is extremely important that my cinema is socio-political because that is my being. I do not have to ‘try’ to do that. That is how I think, that is who I am. A person comes before the filmmaker. Education, background,
influences and ideological factors shape him. While making a movie certain aspects of the maker seep in naturally while others make a quiet exit," he says.
Upbeat about several new OTT platforms entering the digital space, he says the more the merrier. "Everything may not be perfect about them. But that holds for everything in life, no?" says the filmmaker who was at the recently concluded CineVesture International Film Festival (CIFF) held in Chandigarh.
Mishra, who is currently working on his next titled 'Summer of 77' which is about the Emergency and mainstream people bubbling with a certain kind of radicalism and confronting the state, asserts, "No one is a fixer or a Naxalite in this movie. It is about a more mainstream rebellion. There are multiple layers to the film," he concludes.
The Shrine Empire Gallery here will present the debut solo
Peaceful retreat in nature
Are you looking forward to the upcoming long weekend during the Holi and Good Friday long weekend? India, with its diverse landscapes and cultural richness, offers several exciting options for delightful getaways. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat in nature or an adventure-filled trip, there's something for everyone. Here are some great travel destinations to consider for a memorable holiday in March.
South: Coorg
Nestled in the lush green Western Ghats of Karnataka, Coorg
is a haven for nature lovers, offering breathtaking views and a serene environment. From hiking through dense forests to exploring historical monuments, Coorg offers an array of experiences. It is one of the most popular and easily accessible hill stations in South India.
North: Corbett
With its mystic beauty, scenic landscapes, and interesting history, Corbett is the perfect wild and exotic getaway. Resort Condominium International (RCI) affiliated resorts offer the most beautiful and relaxing stay
without worrying about the scenic surroundings. One can take in the true jungle atmosphere created by the perfect natural surroundings and varied flora and fauna. This is the place to enjoy the pristine beauty and enchanting wilderness of nature.
East: Gangtok
Gangtok is home to several breathtaking viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the city, surrounding hills, and snow-capped mountains of the Kanchenjunga range. These serene locations provide a peaceful retreat and a chance to connect with nature.
West: Goa
It's never a bad decision when it's Goa. A perfect place that leaves you with memories to cherish forever. RCI offers a perfect stay, catering to your room to food desires. Whether you are looking for a relaxing sunbathing spot or want to indulge in water sports the beaches of Goa have something for everyone.
Exploring UNESCO Heritage Sites in Turkiye
Atreasure
located in one of the world's most essential geographies, where the history of civilisation was written and shaped, Turkiye is an open-air museum of ancient sites. The country offers a rich wealth of history with 21 World Heritage Sites listed under the UNESCO
of Zeus.
Don't miss: In Kütahya, a part of the Phrygian Valley, there are numerous open-air temples and altars dedicated to the mother goddess Cybele, as well as rockcarved tombs. Visit these fantastic structures while you're in the region.
Kaunos and its rock tombs
Treasure of the Inner Aegean: Aizanoi
Aizanoi, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, is a remarkable ancient site in Kütahya, in the Inner Aegean. As the principal settlement centre of the Aizanitis living in ancient Phrygia, Aizanoi became
World Heritage Convention, and 79 on the Tentative List.
Let's look at some of Türkiye’s lesser-known archaeological treasures to inspire your next adventure!
a wealthy and prominent city during the Roman period due to grain cultivation and wine and wool production. Aizanoi is home to the world’s first trade exchange building, the Macellum, and Anatolia’s best-preserved Temple
Hornbill Festival in Nagaland: 18 cultural troupes rapt spectators with diverse acts
Theeighth day of the 25th Hornbill Festival celebrated the vibrant cultural heritage of Nagaland, with 18 cultural troupes presenting diverse traditional performances at the main arena in the picturesque Naga heritage village Kisama on Sunday.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya witnessed the spectacular traditional cultural performances. On Sunday, an array of performances brought the rich traditions of Nagaland's tribes to life. With a population of two million (tribals constitute 86.5 per cent), Nagaland has 17 tribes and all the tribes have their own festivals.
Kaunos, an important port city of the ancient world, is among Turkiye’s most exciting ruins, with its rock tombs. On the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, Kaunos lost its port as silt filled the sea over time. Like Stratonikeia, Kaunos is in the Muğla province and accessible via a 10-minute boat ride from Dalyan. The Kaunos rock tombs, which can also be seen from Dalyan, were produced in the fourth century BC and used during the Roman period.
Don't miss: Tour boats can bring you to İztuzu Beach, a true natural wonder where you can observe the Caretta caretta sea turtles. During the incubation and spawning periods of the Caretta carettas, human visitors are prohibited from the beach from evening to morning, as the beaches are reserved exclusively for sea turtles during this critical time.
Kibyra, with water flowing from an Ancient Fountain
Located in Burdur, the geography of ancient civilisations, Kibyra is among the region’s most important ancient cities, along with Sagalassos. Since 2016, the structures in Kibyra, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, have been planned symmetrically to offer unobstructed views.
Pochury cultural troupe presented the Atitidoh (folk song), Sumi cultural troupe presented the Thihele (rice pounding song), the Kachari cultural troupe presented a commemorative performance, the Sangtam cultural troupe presented a commemorative performance, the Yimkhiung cultural troupe presented a Log Drum pulling demonstration.
The Zeliang cultural troupe presented the Hunginang (folk song), Kuki cultural troupe performed the Salu Lap Lam (folk dance), Chang cultural troupe performed the Pnangan Chia (folk dance), Lotha cultural troupe showcased tiger hunting, Konyak cultural troupe presented a commemorative performance, Garo cultural troupe showcased the Badi Dake Na Ade (folk song).
Khiamniungan cultural troupe performed the Elie Zuihang (post-war dance), Rengma cultural troupe presented the Anga KaghajuKhwi (lullaby), Tikhir cultural troupe showcased the Tanta Nyit (millet harvesting song), Angami cultural troupe presented Nuopie Pfhe (lullaby/ cradle song), Ao cultural troupe showcased the chase of hen by female eagle (game), Chakhesang cultural troupe presented the Kro Phekechu (folk dance) and the Phom cultural troupe demonstrated the Mishi Songola (fire making).
Central Minister Mandaviya
after witnessing the cultural performances, wrote on the X: "Absolutely mesmerised! Witnessed the amazing Hornbill Festival 2024 in Nagaland, a grand celebration of the state’s rich traditions, vibrant dances, and soulful music."
"Received a warm and traditional welcome at the vibrant Hornbill Festival 2024 at the Kisama Heritage Village in Nagaland. Grateful for the hospitality to witness these diverse and colorful celebrations," he said.
Like other foreign and Indian guests, Mandaviya also visited the World War II Cemetery at Kohima and paid homage to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the war. He said on the X: "Paid tribute to the brave personnel who sacrificed their lives during World War II while serving in the British Army at the War Cemetery in Kohima, Nagaland. People of Bharat have always stood by the world in times of need."
In the ongoing silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival, Japan, the US, the United Kingdom (Wales), Peru and Bulgaria were the country partners while Sikkim and Telangana were the partner states.
Besides daily performances of a large number of cultural troupes, other highlights of the silver jubilee edition of the iconic 10-day Hornbill Festival include sales of local products, handloom and handicrafts, artworks, horticulture, traditional stone pulling ceremony, film festival, photo fest, heritage walk, kids’ carnival, International Hornbill Naga Wrestling, indigenous games and sports festival etc.
Local cuisine, food festival, Naga King chilli and pineapple eating competitions, World War-II rally, adventure outdoor activities, mountain biking, Dzukou Valley Day Hikes, Bamboo Carnival, and Night Carnival were the other important attractions of the annual gala celebration.
EV, ancillary industries in India can attract $40 billion worth investments in 5-6 years
New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) There is a potential $40 billion investment opportunity for the development of electric vehicles (EVs) and ancillary industries in India over the next 5-6 years, a report showed on Wednesday.
About two-thirds of the planned investments can potentially materialise in the lithium-ion battery segment alone, said the report by Colliers, a professional services and investment management company. The deployment of these funds will rely upon successful implementation of government
policies, charging infrastructure ramp-up and domestic manufacturing capacity scale-up, it added.
At the same time, with an uptick in EV adoption, increasing need for charging infrastructure would potentially translate into real estate demand for more than 45 million square feet by 2030.
The investment commitments in the domestic EV industry rose over 3 times times in the last three years.
With an overall EV penetration rate of 8 per cent in India, Colliers estimates sales of around 2 million EVs in 2024.
“While demand and supply incentives will continue to play a pivotal role in faster adoption of EVs, a multifold increase in EV sales can be fast-tracked by the reduction in production costs and improving affordability with respect to EV price points,” said
Badal Yagnik, Chief Executive Officer, Colliers India.
Additionally, high-capacity original equipment manufacturing units and largescale production of lithium-ion battery variants must be high on the EV priority list, Yagnik added. With the rise in domestic production of EVs, about 13,000 acres of land acquisition and development plans can potentially materialize by 2030.
Of the potential land development opportunities, more than 80 per cent is likely to come from lithium-ion battery manufacturers.
It is imperative to focus on lithium-ion battery and ancillary segments and public private partnerships in augmentation of charging infrastructure on highways, expressways and urban agglomerations across the country, the report noted.
AI revolution yet to come, regulations may hinder innovation: Meta AI chief
Seoul, Dec 11 (IANS) Yann LeCun, the chief artificial intelligence (AI) scientist at global tech giant Meta Platforms, said that the "real AI revolution" has yet to come, calling on the governments not to make laws that will hinder the development of the technology.
"The real AI revolution has not yet arrived," LeCun said in an opening speech for the 2024 K-Science and Technology Global Forum in Seoul, hosted by South Korea's science ministry, reports Yonhap news agency.
"In the near future, every single
one of our interactions with the digital world will be mediated by AI assistants ... and what we need eventually are systems that basically have the same level of intelligence as humans,” he noted.
The pioneer of modern AI said generative AIs based on large language models (LLMs), such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Meta's Llama, have limits in understanding the physical world as well as reasoning and planning like humans do.
LLMs can deal with language because it is simple and discrete, but it cannot deal with the complexity of the real world, he explained.
To overcome the limits, Meta is working to build an objectivedriven AI based on a new type of architecture that can understand the physical world
by observing it like babies do and make predictions based on the understanding.
LeCun also stressed the importance of an open source AI ecosystem to create AI models that comprehend different languages, cultural contexts and value systems of the world.
"We can't have a single entity somewhere on the west coast of the United States train those models," he said, calling for the need for an AI system that can be trained collaboratively across the world.
The AI expert said "regulation can kill open source," urging the governments not to make laws prematurely that will hinder the advancement of the technology.
"There is zero demonstration that any AI system is intrinsically dangerous, he added.
Commercial-level air taxis arriving soon in South Korea
electric aircraft manufacturer Joby Aviation Inc.
at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's aviation center in Goheung, about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday.
The demonstration is part of the K-UAM Grand Challenge, a government-led demonstration program that will test UAM vehicle safety and traffic management capabilities for commercial services, reports Yonhap news agency.
The deployment of the S-4, capable of carrying a pilot and up to four passengers, will mark the first use of a commercial-level UAM aircraft in the country.
The demonstration will include testing with UAM operational
Digital India has laid foundation for ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047: Minister
New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) Digital India has laid the foundation for a knowledge-based economy and digitally-empowered society towards the goal of becoming a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, said on Monday. Over the past 11 years, the government has brought a digital revolution, inspiring citizens to work digitally, which has had an unprecedented impact on 1.4 billion people, the minister said during a press conference on ‘Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity’ in the national capital.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the world is now recognising India’s digital revolution. Digital services like UPI, DigiYatra and DigiLocker are transforming lives and making everyday tasks simpler,” he added.
According to the minister, UPI is now being used in seven countries, including France, marking India’s digital payment success on the global stage.
Currently, UPI is used for payments in seven countries – the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France and Mauritius. UPI’s launch in France is especially significant as it marks the first use of UPI in Europe. This expansion allows Indian consumers and businesses to make payments and receive money easily while abroad. Several countries have signed Memorandums of Understanding to adopt India’s Digital Payment Infrastructure (DPI), enhancing India’s credibility in the global digital revolution.
Digital services have also helped curb corruption. The digital revolution has made it possible for money to reach beneficiaries directly without middlemen.
“Villages now have internet access, and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has streamlined its work through digital platforms.
The Parivesh portal has made environmental clearances faster, simpler, and more transparent, compared to the lengthy processes before,” said the minister.
The ‘Digital India’ programme, launched by the government on July 1, 2015, envisions transforming India into a knowledge-based economy and digitally empowered society by ensuring digital services, accessibility, inclusion, and empowerment.
Indian scientists develop flexible near-infrared devices for wearable sensors
New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS)
technologies, such as those involving flight management and air traffic, developed by a consortium formed by SK Telecom Co., Korea Airports Corp. and Hanwha Systems Co. Meanwhile, the government has pledged comprehensive support toward a pilot program for a commercial air taxi service on the southern resort island of Jeju.
The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province aims to launch the pilot programme on Jeju Island in 2025 in partnership with an urban air mobility (UAM) consortium comprised of public and private firms, including SK Telecom and Hanwha Systems.
Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed novel flexible near-infrared plasmonic devices for wearable sensors and medical imaging tools.
The team introduced a new approach to achieve flexible nearinfrared plasmonic devices using affordable scandium nitride (ScN) films.
“This could revolutionise the design of future optoelectronic devices, flexible sensors, and medical imaging tools that rely on NIR light, by introducing scalable and cost-effective plasmonic materials,” said the researchers in the paper, recently published in the journal Nano Letters. Plasmonics is a field that leverages the interaction between light and free electrons
in metals to create extremely confined electromagnetic fields. Traditionally, plasmonic materials have been rigid and possess limited design possibilities. Most of them, like gold or silver, tend to be costly and possess limited versatility.
The research holds promise for a wide array of industries, from telecommunications to biomedicine, offering a new material foundation for developing next-generation flexible and wearable plasmonic devices.
The team led by Prof. Bivas Saha demonstrated a method to grow flexible plasmonic structures. They produced ScN layers with exceptional quality and flexibility by pairing scandium nitride with van der Waals layer substrates, materials with weak interlayer interactions. This introduced a new pathway in plasmonic materials research.
The study also highlights the potential of scandium nitride as a promising plasmonic material for applications that require both flexibility and precision in nearinfrared (NIR) optics.
Seoul, Dec 13 (IANS) The transport ministry said on Friday it will conduct a flight demonstration of a commerciallevel air taxi model this week, as part of a government project to introduce the urban air mobility (UAM) industry in the country. The ministry will demonstrate the operation of the S-4 model built by U.S.
Keto diet supplement may help kill cancer via cell therapy
New York, Dec 8 (IANS) A simple dietary supplement in ketogenic diet can boost ‘CAR T’ cell function — a personalised treatment that reprogrammes patients’ own immune cells to kill cancer, according to a new study. While the approach needs to be assessed in clinical trials, the early research, hints at a potentially cost-effective strategy to improve CAR T cell function and cancerfighting abilities, according to a study from researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center in the US.
“Thousands of patients with blood cancers have been successfully treated with CAR T cell therapy, but it still doesn’t work for everyone,” said co-lead author Shan Liu, a postdoctoral fellow.
Liu co-led the study with Puneeth Guruprasad, a medical student in the Perelman School of Medicine.
The research team tested the effect of several different diets, including ketogenic, high-fibre, high-fat, high-protein, high cholesterol, and a control diet, on CAR T cell’s tumour-fighting capabilities using a mouse model of diffuse-large B-cell lymphoma.
They found improved tumour control and survival in the mice receiving a ketogenic diet compared to all other diets. In subsequent studies, they found higher levels of betahydroxybutyrate (BHB), a metabolite produced by the liver in response to a ketogenic diet,
was a key mediator of this effect.
“Our theory is that CAR T cells prefer BHB as a fuel source rather than standard sugars in our body, such as glucose,” Guruprasad said. “So, increasing the levels of BHB in the body gives the CAR T cells more power to take out the cancer cells.”
The theory that BHB supplementation could improve response to CAR T cell therapy is being tested in a Phase I clinical trial at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.
“We’re talking about an intervention that is relatively cheap and has low toxicity potential,” said Maayan Levy, PhD, an assistant professor of Microbiology.
“If the clinical trial data pans out, I’m excited to think about how a fairly simple approach like this could be combined with dietary interventions or other, more traditional approaches, to enhance the anti-cancer effect,” Levy added.
1 person globally acquires new genital herpes infection every second: WHO
New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) At least one person each second, or 42 million people annually worldwide is estimated to acquire a new genital herpes infection, according to new estimates by the World Health Organization on Wednesday.
It showed that about 846 million people or more than 1 in 5 people aged between 15 and 49 are living with genital herpes infections. Herpes simplex virus (HSV), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable. Usually, these infections cause no or few symptoms, in some cases they lead to painful genital
sores and blisters that can recur throughout life, causing significant discomfort and often requiring multiple healthcare visits.
The estimates, published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, showed that over 200 million people suffered at least one such symptomatic episode in 2020.
“While most people with a genital herpes infection experience few symptoms, with so many infections genital herpes still causes pain and distress for millions globally and strains already overburdened health systems,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes at WHO.
The alarming figures urge for new treatments and vaccines to reduce the adverse health effects of the herpes virus and control its spread. It will also help “reduce the transmission of HIV,” Doherty
said.
HSV are of two types -- HSV-1 and HSV-2 -- both can lead to genital herpes.
As per estimates, 520 million people in 2020 had genital HSV2, which is transmitted during sexual activity.
Genital HSV-2 is more serious and it is substantially more likely to cause recurrent outbreaks. It accounts for around 90 per cent of symptomatic episodes and is linked to a three-fold increased risk of getting HIV.
On the other hand, HSV1 primarily spreads during childhood through saliva or skinto-skin contact around the mouth to cause oral herpes, with cold sores or mouth ulcers the most common symptoms.
It can also spread via sexual contact. About 376 million people are estimated to have had genital HSV-1 infections in 2020.
Indian scientists develop 1st human gene therapy for Haemophilia A
New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) In a significant medical feat, Indian scientists have developed the first-in-human gene therapy using lentiviral vectors for severe haemophilia A The innovative therapy, developed
by the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR) at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore -- a translational unit of BRICinStem, and supported by the Department of Biotechnology, has demonstrated transformational results.
Early this year, scientists at the CMC-Vellore successfully conducted the country's first human clinical trial of gene therapy for haemophilia A (FVIII deficiency).
Healthy diets reduce chronic pain: Australian study
Canberra, Dec 9 (IANS) Adopting a healthy diet can reduce the severity of chronic pain, an Australian research has found.
In a new study, researchers from the University of South Australia found a direct link between greater consumption of food within the federal government's Australian Dietary Guidelines and lower levels of body pain, particularly among women, reports Xinhua news agency.
"It's common knowledge that eating well is good for your health and well-being. But knowing that simple changes to your diet could offset chronic pain could be lifechanging," Sue Ward, a co-author of the study, said.
Previous research has found that over 30 per cent of people
globally suffer from chronic pain, with women and people who are overweight or obese more likely to be affected.
The new study found that higher consumption of core foods -vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats, dairy and alternatives -reduces chronic pain regardless of a person's weight.
"Knowing that food choices and the overall quality of a person's diet will not only make a person healthier but also help reduce their pain levels is extremely valuable," Ward said.
The study found that the effect of healthy diets reducing chronic pain was more prominent for women than for men.
Ward said it is possible that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of core food groups are what reduce pain, but the team cannot say with certainty whether poorer quality diets lead to more pain or if pain leads to a poorer diet.
Ultra-processed foods may make you age faster
New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) Love to binge on ultra-processed food (UPFs) like chips, biscuits, sausages, burgers, soft drinks, and instant noodles? Beware, these can make you age faster biologically, warned a study. A person's biological age is a relatively new way of measuring
a person's health. It refers to how old a person seems based on various molecular biomarkers. A person with a healthy lifestyle may have a biological age younger than their chronological age, while poor lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in UPFs, can accelerate biological ageing, said researchers from Monash University in Australia
The study, published in the journal Age and Aging, involved 16,055 participants from the US aged 20-79 and showed that for every 10 per cent increase in UPF consumption, the gap between biological and chronological age widened by approximately 2.4 months.
IIT Madras releases world 1st 3D images of human foetal brain
The single-centre study, which enrolled five participants aged between 22 and 41 years, showed transformational results.
“The therapy successfully produced zero annualised bleeding rates in all five enrolled participants while enabling prolonged production of Factor VIII, eliminating the need for repeated infusions,” said the scientists, in the paper published in the peer-reviewed New England Journal of Medicine.
Chennai, Dec 10 (IANS) In a significant feat, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Tuesday released the most detailed 3D highresolution images of the foetal brain.
For the first time in the world, 5,132 brain sections were digitally imaged at cell resolution using cutting-edge brain mapping technology developed by the team at Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT.
The research is critical for India as the country accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world’s childbirths at 25 million each year.
This makes it vital for the country to understand brain development from the foetus to a child, to adolescence, and a young adult, and developmental disorders like learning disabilities and autism.
“This study will pave the way for new scientific discoveries, allowing quantification of neurodevelopmental disorders and advances in fetal medicine. This is now the largest publicly accessible digital dataset of the human fetal brain, advancing current knowledge by 20X. This is the first time such advanced human neuroscience data has been produced from India and made freely available as a global resource,” said Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head, Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, IIT Madras.
Sara Tendulkar, social media sensation and youth icon and the new face of Laneige, one of the most popular Korean beauty brands in the world. Known for her authenticity, charm and influential presence on social media, Sara has embarked on this new venture with the brand to support the its mission in the country.
She gracefully represents the brand's values of natural and sustainable beauty, while bringing to life the brand belief that everyone should shine with a unique inner and outer glow that is as distinct as their individuality. Along with the announcement of a new Brand Ambassador, the brand unveiled its Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask.
An elated Sara Tendulkar, Brand Ambassador, Laneige India, commented, “I am thrilled to be part of Laneige's family. As
someone with a biomedical background that makes way for a keen understanding of quality as well as a personal passion for skincare, I admire the brand's commitment to innovation and have been using their products for quite a while. It brings me immense excitement and humility to partner with Laneige, as their core belief in the radiance of each person's unique individuality resonates deeply with me."
At the launch, Paul Lee, Managing Director & Country Head of Amorepacific India, added, "Laneige proudly announces Sara Tendulkar as its Brand Ambassador, embracing her vibrant energy. Sara symbolizes the modern, self-assured youth advocating that beauty transcends mere appearances. With Sara onboard, Laneige aims to connect with a broader audience."
Mini Sood Banerjee, Assistant
Hydration is Key
Combat the drying effects of summer heat by regularly applying moisturising lotion or oil to your nails and cuticles. This simple step will help maintain their strength and flexibility, reducing the risk of breakage.
Summeris all about fun in the sun, beach outings, and showing off those fabulous nails! With the sunny season upon us, it's essential to step up our nail care game to keep our nails looking fresh and vibrant.
Experts in nail care from Tip and Toe Salon share with IANSlife
Protect from the Sun
Protect your nails from the sun's harmful UV rays, just as you would protect your skin. Consider using a nail polish with UV protection or applying a clear topcoat containing SPF. When engaging in outdoor activities, wearing gloves can also provide an additional layer of protection against sun damage.
Director & Head of Marketing and Training Amorepacific India said, "As Laneige's journey evolves, we are thrilled to welcome Sara Tendulkar into our family as the embodiment of timeless grace and modern elegance. Her vibrant spirit and innate charm perfectly resonate with Laneige's commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their unique beauty. Together, we embark on a new chapter, celebrating authenticity and the transformative power of skincare."
Social media sensation Sara Tendulkar for Korean Beauty Brand Laniege Summer nail care secrets
"We are delighted to announce Sara Tendulkar as the new Brand Ambassador for Laneige," said Sally Lee, Brand General Manager of Laneige India. Sara's luminous charm and timeless elegance resonate deeply with our brand's values. Sara's deeper integration into the Laneige experience marks a remarkable milestone, fostering deeper connections with a burgeoning generation of consumers."
Laneige is a brand that specializes in moisture research. They have developed advanced water complexes that are dedicated to creating intelligent skincare solutions for all skin types. With a range of products developed to address different skin concerns due to stress and a hazardous environment, Laneige offers solutions that awaken your skin’s ultimate moisture potential.
the importance of maintaining healthy and beautiful nails, especially during the summer months. Don't let the sun and heat take a toll on your nail health; follow these expertrecommended tips to keep your nails looking fabulous.
Use the Right Tools
Using the right tools is crucial for maintaining nail health. Avoid metal cuticle pushers, as they can cause damage and increase infection risks. Instead, opt for wooden or rubber cuticle pushers. Additionally, always use sharp, clean nail clippers and files to prevent nail splitting and peeling.
Chase the sun, not the damage: Smart skin care choices for summer
As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, many of us eagerly embrace the warmth of summer. However, the need for diligent skin care comes with the joys of outdoor activities and beach vacations.
Before diving into skin care tips, it's essential to understand the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to many skin concerns, including sunburn and premature ageing.
"One of the most effective ways to shield your skin from sun damage is sunscreen. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating to ensure comprehensive protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed areas of skin, including your face, neck, and ears, and remember to reapply every two hours, especially if you're swimming or sweating," says Mansi Sharma, founder of The Honest Tree by Boddess.
Hydration is key. Summer heat can take a toll on your skin, leading to dehydration and a loss of moisture. Mansi recommends
to combat the heat by staying hydrated from the inside out. She says, "Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and plump. Additionally, incorporate hydrating skincare products into your routine, such as lightweight moisturizers and serums formulated with hyaluronic acid or glycerin."
While sunscreen provides crucial protection, it's not the only line of defence against the sun's rays. "Consider covering up with lightweight, breathable clothing, hats, and sunglasses to provide additional protection for your skin and eyes. Opt for tightly woven fabrics and dark colours for optimal sun protection," adds Mansi. "When possible, seek shade during the sun's peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when UV radiation is at its strongest, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin damage. Take breaks from direct sunlight by relaxing under a beach umbrella or finding shelter in a shaded area."
The founder of The Honest Tree by Boddess also suggests that while selecting skincare products for summer, opt for formulations that cater to the specific needs of sun-exposed skin. Mansi says, "Look for products enriched with antioxidants like vitamins C and E, which help neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure. Incorporating a gentle exfoliant into your routine can also help slough off dead skin cells, revealing a fresh, radiant complexion."
Beauty addicts can now get Kylie Cosmetics in India
Iamso excited to launch Kylie Cosmetics in India – I created Kylie Cosmetics to give my fans access to the makeup products that I use and love, and I can’t wait to share my collection with all my fans in India.", said Kylie Jenner, Founder of Kylie Cosmetics.
In 2015, Kylie Jenner embarked on her beauty business with the launch of Kylie Lip Kits - a collection of three liquid lipsticks with corresponding lip liners. Since then, Kylie supported by Global beauty powerhouse Coty, have continued to expand her beauty empire around the world in over 50 countries, and across eye, complexion, and countless innovations in lip. The beauty line is carefully crafted with clean formulations and vegan ingredients that deliver on trend, high-quality, high-pigment, and
high-performance formulations that fans around the world have come to love.
In a significant milestone in the brand’s global expansion Kylie Cosmetics, launches in India. Partnering with House of Beauty, the leading beauty specialty company which brings coveted international beauty brands to India, Kylie Cosmetics’ arrival has been long awaited by Indian beauty consumers. This partnership marks the first time the brand has partnered with an Indian omnichannel specialist like House of Beauty.
The launch collection includes the best-selling Matte and Velvet Lip Kits, as well as recent must-have launches such as Precision Pout Lip Liner, Power Plush Longwear Foundation, Kylash Volume Mascara, Power Plush Longwear Concealer and Tinted Butter Balm.
Starting 25th April 2024, Kylie Cosmetics will be available exclusively in 25 Sephora India stores nationwide and online on www.sephora.in
Kareena, Kajol, Ananya, and others shower birthday love on Manish Malhotra
Fashion designer Manish Malhotra celebrated his 58th birthday on Thursday and Bollywood’s biggest stars took to social media to shower him with love and wishes.
The legendary designer, known for his iconic creations and for styling some of the most prominent figures in the industry, received heartfelt birthday greetings from several celebrities, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kajol, Ananya Panday, Rakul Preet Singh, and others. While showering birthday love on
Manish, Bebo shared a selfie with the designer on her Instagram story and wrote, “happy birthday to my manu…love you loads forever @manishmalhotra.”
Kajal posted a smiling photo of her with Manish and captioned it, “Happy happy birthday @ manishmalhotra..may we always smile and laugh like this always.. ur the bestest!!
Rakul extended her greetings by dropping a stylish photo featuring her and Manish. For the caption, she wrote, “Happy happy bdayyyy you lovely person. You are
evergreen and ur magical! May the universe keep showering you in abundance with all that you desire and plz tell us how are you getting younger by the day…lots n lots of love ps: we need more pics.”
Ananya Panday posted an unseen photo featuring her, Sara Ai Khan and Manish Malhotra. In the image, the CTRL actress can be seen making a goofy pose. Sharing this candid click on her IG stories, Panday wrote, “Happy Birthday to the best love you MM clearly always ready to celebrate you.”
Among those who wished Manish Malhotra were Shanaya Kapoor and Kiara Advani.
Manish, a celebrated name in the fashion industry, has an estimated net worth of $21 million (approximately Rs160 crore). He is the founder of his eponymous fashion label, which includes haute couture, bridal collections, and diffusion lines.
Rohit Bal’s Will: FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi says,
‘I’m
sure the Will mentions all beneficiaries’
The late fashion connoisseur Rohit Bal’s Will has become the bone of contention between his close friend and former model Lalit Tehlan and Rohit’s family. Sunil Sethi, the Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), who has been appointed as the executor, said that he wants the process to be transparent and is sure that the will mentions all the beneficiaries.
Sunil Sethi told IANS exclusively that executing Rohit Bal’s (fondly called as Gudda) will, “came as a surprise” to him.
He said, “The task of executing
late Rohit Bal’s Will, came as a bit of surprise to me. Even though we shared a strong bond this topic was never part of our conversation. However, having said that, the right thing needs to be done. I’m awaiting more information, and details from the lawyers of both the parties involved, Lalit Tehlan and Rohit’s family. After assessing, we will accordingly proceed. Lalit’s lawyer had been in touch and both have shown keenness to show the will - a medical family emergency has delayed this meeting”.
Sunil has claimed that he has not seen the details of the will but few parts have been read out to him. He will be witness to them in the next one or two days. This will be done in the presence of both the opposing parties, along with a few friends and well wishers who were close to Rohit.
Rashmika Mandanna marvels at fan’s origami skills
Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who has been scooping praises for her recently released blockbuster ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’, was left pleasantly surprised at the origami skills of one of her fans.
Origami artist Kabir Barot recently took to his social media, and shared a video showcasing his skills which drew a delightful reaction from Rashmika Mandanna. The clip captures the actor seated inside a car, gazing out of the window with curiosity and interest.
As the artist showcased his intricate paper-folding art, the actress watched him intently, her expression reflecting complete
Rohit Bal’s will causes confusion as family, Lalit Tehlan claim to have one each
Connoisseur
of luxury wear
Rohit Bal’s will has turned into a bone of contention as his close friend and former model Lalit Tehlan has claimed to be in possession of it, where a major chunk goes to him at the same time, the late designer’s brother Rajiv Bal says that the family also has a will.
Rajiv also shared that he and his family do not know about the will that Tehlan claims to have by Rohit, who was fondly referred to as Gudda, who passed away aged 63 on November 1.
According to media reports, Tehlan had said that Rohit owned 99 percent of Rohit Bal Designs Pvt Ltd. out of which 1 percent belonged to Billa, his brother Rajiv Bal.
admiration and focus on his craft. Meanwhile, the actress has been receiving a lot of positive response to her work in ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ in which she reprises her character of Srivalli, and acts as a plot point.
‘Pushpa: The Rule’, which was released on December 5, is racing on the box-office with the downforce of fan adulation and the legacy built by the film’s predecessor ‘Pushpa: The Rise’ which was released in December 2021. ‘Pushpa: The Rule’ picks up from where ‘Pushpa: The Rise’ ended. It sees the Telugu superstar Allu Arjun reprising his titular role.
Tehlan said that most of the assets fall under the company, which needs two directors. He claimed that a “major chunk” will come to him along with “movable and immovable assets, which includes his personal house, personal bank account, his fixed deposits.”
According to the report, Tehlan, who is a model and the founder of Alexander Jeans by Rohit Bal, also claimed that the designer gave his employees such as his “cook and driver a very generous amount for their long-standing services.”
Talking about Tehlan’s claims, Rajiv told the media outlet, when reached out to him, he said he
also has a will and that until he sees the one with Tehlan, he cannot say anything.
Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of India Sunil Sethi has been assigned as the executor of the will.
The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) late on November 1 night announced the passing away of the iconic designer, who was known for his lotus and peacock motifs.
The fashion designer was suffering from a heart ailment and in 2023 was admitted to the intensive care unit.
The FDCI shared a post on Instagram, which read: “We mourn the passing of Legendary designer Rohit Bal.
He was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities, Bal’s work redefined Indian fashion, and inspired generations.”
“His legacy of artistry, and innovation along with forward thinking will live on in the fashion world. Rest in peace GUDDA You are a legend.”
The designer’s last show was at the Lakme Fashion Week in the National Capital and his muse was Bollywood actress Ananya Panday, who took to her Instagram stories and shared a picture of the two strutting the ramp after the grand finale.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Chairman and MD and CEO Masakazu Yoshimura, along with Vice Chairperson Manasi Tata, Vice President Sabari Manohar, and Deputy Managing Director Tadashi Asazuma, unveils the all-new Camry Hybrid Electric car during an event in Bengaluru on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
of
a ₹13,500
the
Seoul: Opposition lawmakers and members of a civic organization held a rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 4, 2024, demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol resign over his declaration of martial law, which he revoked hours later.
Singapore: Indian Grandmaster D.Gukesh during the 14th game of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 against China’s Ding Liren, in Singapore, on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Bengaluru:
Singapore: Indian Grandmaster D.Gukesh during the 14th game of the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 against China’s Ding Liren, in Singapore, on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
New Delhi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calls on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
New Delhi: Nepal Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel being received by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi during the ceremonial reception at South Block in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
New Delhi : Actor Allu Arjun attends a press meet for his newly released film Pushpa 2: The Rule in New Delhi on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
New Delhi: Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar chairs a meeting of the Advisory Committee at Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Seoul: A mass rally is held in front of the National Assembly building in western Seoul on Dec. 7, 2024, as the National Assembly is set to vote on an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Seoul: People watch a televised address by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 12, 2024. Yoon on Thursday defended his move to impose a shortlived martial law and showed no will to step down in a televised address to the nation.
Mumbai: Actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan and Israeli medieval historian Yuval Noah Harari at the Book launch in Mumbai on Saturday, December 07, 2024
The Ministry
Defence (MoD) has signed
crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for
procurement of 12 Su-30MKI fighter jets in New Delhi on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Baby John
RELEASE DATE: 25 December 2024
LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)
PRODUCER: Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee, Jyoti Deshpande
SYNOPSIS: A historical drama based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
SkyForce
RELEASE DATE: 24 January 2025
LANGUAGE: Hindi (With English Subtitles)
PRODUCER: Jio Studios, Maddock Films
DIRECTOR: Abhishek Kapur, Sandeep
CAST: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur, Sara Ali Khan
Kewlani
ALPHA
Abhishek, Aishwarya clicked together at a wedding, Hrithik, Saba join
It's the wedding season, and Bollywood too isn't untouched by it. Recently, Bollywood stars were spotted attending a high profile wedding in the city.
Actor-couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, who are rumoured to be separated, made the heads turns when they attended the wedding. Both Aishwarya and Abhishek twinned in black outfits. While the actress opted for a suit, Abhishek was seen in a bandhgala which he paired with trousers. One of the photos, shows Aishwarya shaking hands with the groom as she congratulated the couple.
Abhishek and Aishwarya's 'Dhoom 2' co-star Hrithik Roshan also arrived at the event with his lady love Saba Azad. While the actor was dressed in a black T-shirt under a blazer and pants, Saba donned a black outfit too.
Hrithik's father Rajesh Roshan was also part of the festivities.
Veteran actor Jeetendra also attended the event with his daughter, producer Ektaa Kapoor was seen in a pink suit. The senior actor wore a bandhgala which he paired with pants.
Actor Aditya Roy Kapur was seen in a white shirt under a blazer
and trousers. Actress Vidya Balan looked stunning in a green saree and matching blouse.
Pictures from the wedding were shared on social media by the official handle of the wedding planner.
The caption for a post read, "The reception was graced by the presence of Bollywood royalty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, who added their signature glamour to the evening. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Hockey legend, Dhanraj Pillai also attended, blessing the couple with their warm presence. The Roshan family, Hrithik Roshan, Rakesh Roshan, and Rajesh Roshan, added to the grandeur of the occasion".
Meanwhile, Abhishek was recently seen in the theatrical movie 'I Want To Talk'. Hrithik will be next seen in 'War 2', directed by Ayan Mukerji. The film also stars Jr NTR and Kiara Advani. He was last seen in 'Fighter' alongside Anil Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.
Sara Ali Khan shares adorable pictures and videos from Sharmila Tagore’s birthday celebrations
Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan, who was recently seen in the streaming movie ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’, is celebrating the birthday of her grandmother Sharmila Tagore. On Sunday, the actress took to her Instagram and shared an array of pictures and videos from the birthday celebrations.
The pictures and videos feature the members of the extended Pataudi family. Bollywood actor and Sara’s father Saif Ali Khan, his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan, actor Kunal Kemmu, Soha Ali Khan and others.
One video also shows Sharmila Tagore blowing the candles on her cake. Earlier, Sara celebrated 6 years
of the release of her debut movie ‘Kedarnath’, as she took to her Instagram, and shared a video featuring a collection of clips of the movie and its BTS. She wrote in the caption, “6 years of Kedarnath. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday and sometimes it feels like a lifetime away… Jai Bholenath. Thank you for making me me. And thank you for giving me a lifetime of memories”.
‘Kedarnath’ marked Sara’s debut in Bollywood, and starred her opposite the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
The disaster film is based on the 2013 flash floods in Uttarakhand, and tells an inter-faith love story between a wealthy Hindu Brahmin girl whose family owns
Kareena Kapoor reveals who her ‘favourite couple’ is
Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Khan has shared a glimpse of her favourite couple Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu.
Kareena took to her Instagram, where she shared a picture of Soha and Kunal sitting. In the image, Soha is seen reading a book, while her husband Kunal is listening to her with full attention.
The Bollywood diva captioned the image: “Favourite couple Kunal Kemmu and Soha Ali Khan.”
Kunal and Soha were in a relationship since May 2009. The couple got engaged in July 2014 and got married in Mumbai on January 2015. They welcomed their daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu in September 2017.
On December 8, Kareena celebrated the birthday of her mother-in-law and veteran star Sharmila Tagore.
The actress took to Instagram to wish her mother-in-law on her birthday. She shared a picture of herself with the veteran actress. In the picture, both of them can be seen in comfortable clothing.
“Who’s the coolest Gangsta ever? Do i need to say? Happy birthday to my mother-in-law. Just the Best,” she wrote as the caption. Sharmila is the mother of Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, and was a leading star of her generation.
Kareena and Saif tied the knot on October 16, 2012. The couple welcomed their first son Taimur on December 20, 2016. Their second son Jehangir was born on February 21, 2021.
Earlier this month, Kareena graced the Red Sea Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She shared on her Instagram, several pictures from her visit to the film festival.
Actor Manchu Manoj undergoes treatment after ‘fight’ with father Mohan Babu
Actora lodge and shops near the historic Kedarnath Temple in the Uttarakhand mountains and a Muslim boy who is a 'pithoo' (porter) working in the same vicinity.
The film was written and directed by Abhishek Kapoor, who is known for ‘Rock On!!’ and ‘Kai Po Che!’.
While Sara went on to struggle at the box-office after the success of ‘Kedarnath’, SSR went on to do the critically acclaimed ‘Sonchiriya’, the box-office hit and the National Award-winning movie ‘Chhichhore’, and the streaming disaster ‘Drive’ before he was found dead at his house in Mumbai during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Manchu Manoj approached a hospital in Hyderabad for treatment of his injuries on Sunday amid reports of a fight with his father and veteran actor Mohan Babu.
Manoj reached a private hospital in Banjara Hills for treatment. The actor, who was having difficulty even in walking, was accompanied by his wife Mounika.
After the treatment, Manoj left the hospital. He did not reply to questions from mediapersons about how he sustained the injuries. He also kept quiet when asked if there was truth in the reports circulating in the media since morning.
Manoj’s visit to hospital is said to be aimed at building a medicolegal case. Police are likely to visit Manoj’s house to record his statement.
Both Manoj and Mohan Babu reported to have complained against each other to police over dial 100. The police advised them to lodge complaints in writing. Manoj alleged that his father beat him and his wife. On the other hand, Mohan Babu also complained to police that his son attacked him.
The fight between them is reportedly related to family property which includes a chain of educational institutions in the temple town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
Amid the reports of a fight between father and son, Mohan Babu through his spokesman released a statement, urging media not to broadcast imaginary stories.
Mohan Babu is one of the senior actors of Tollywood. The 72-yearold is also a former Member of Parliament. He was associated with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) since it was floated in 1982 by legendary actor N. T. Rama Rao. In 1995, the TDP nominated Mohan Babu to the Rajya Sabha.
Poster of Rashmika Mandanna-starrer ‘The Girlfriend’ leaves social media in splits
Anew poster of the upcoming Telugu movie ‘The Girlfriend’ starring Rashmika Mandanna was unveiled on Sunday, and the netizens are having a field day.
The poster reads, “Vijay Deverakonda will introduce ‘The Girlfriend’”.
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, who are two of the leading stars in India, are rumoured to be dating, and the Internet users brought that up in the comments.
One user wrote, “Vijay
Devarakonda will introduce HIS GIRLFRIEND”.
Another wrote, “So THE BOYFRIEND will introduce THE GIRLFRIEND?”.
A third user wrote, “Why it's totally relating to Their Personal life?”. Earlier, Rashmika Mandanna, who can be seen in the recently released blockbuster ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’, celebrated the “very special” month of December with the 1st anniversary of her movie ‘Animal’.
The actress took to the Stories
section of her Instagram, and re-shared a Reel from one of her fans showcasing her character of Geethanjali from the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer ‘Animal’. She wrote on the video, “December has indeed been very very special to me. So grateful. Swami swami swami.Thank you Thank you Thank”.
‘Animal’, which starred Ranbir in the titular role, told the story of the relationship between a son and a father carved in blood.
The multi-starrer film, which was directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of ‘Kabir Singh’ fame, proved to be a blockbuster, and also triggered a wave of criticism over its portrayal and treatment of women. The film made a huge noise and diminished the Vicky Kaushal-starrer ‘Sam Bahadur’, a biopic based on the Indian war hero Sam Manekshaw.
Prior to that, ‘Pushpa: The Rise’, which was Rashmika’s claim to fame across India, was also released in December. The film, which released during the thick of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemie, performed exceptionally well at the boxoffice amidst the shut down of theatres across India.
Dharmendra celebrates birthday with sons Bobby, Sunny, wife Hema Malini shares heartwarming post
Veteranactor Dharmendra, who was last seen in ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, is celebrating his 89th birthday on Sunday.
On the occasion, the senior actor was seen with his two sons Sunny and Bobby at his bungalow at Juhu Tara Road in Mumbai.
The veteran actor cut the cake in the presence of his fans, and hugged his two sons.
On the occasion, the actor’s second wife Hema Malini also shared a special social media post.
The actress took to her Instagram, and shared two pictures of herself with Dharmendra.
She wrote in the caption, “A day to celebrate! Happiest Birthday to the man of my dreams.
I hold your heart as you hold mine ever since we first met many years ago.
We have been through good times and bad, always together, steadfast in our love for each other. I look forward to being dazzled by your charm for many more years to come.
May God bless you with good health and happiness always”.
Dharmendra and Hema Malini tied the knot in 1980 after dating for five years. Their marriage was a controversial topic as Dharmendra was already married to Prakash Kaur and had two sons, Sunny and Bobby Deol.
The senior actor converted to Islam and took the name Dilawar Khan to marry Hema.
Hema changed her name to Aisha Bi. The couple had an Iyengarstyle wedding ceremony.
The couple has two daughters, actress Esha and Ahana Deol.
Rashmika Mandanna has
Alia Bhatt trades her swanky drive for a quick autorickshaw ride
Bollywoodstar Alia Bhatt, who was recently seen in the theatrical movie ‘Jigra’, ditched her swanky car, and took a quick ride as she sat in an autorickshaw.
The actress was recently spotted at the Versova jetty in Mumbai, as she got down from the boat and took an autorickshaw. She was seen wearing an oversized striped shirt and a pair of wenge coloured pants.
Of late, many celebrities are opting for jetty rides from Versova to shooting spots in the Madh Island area of Mumbai as it saves time compared to the road ride of almost 90 minutes. Other actors like the Kannada superstar Yash, and Kiara Advani were also seen taking the jetty in order to reach the shooting spots.
Recently, Alia kickstarted the month of December by installing a Christmas tree at her home.
The actress took to the Stories of her Instagram and shared a video which showed the Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree was adorned with ornaments bearing the names of her family, husband
Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who is currently riding high on the success of her latest release “Pushpa: The Rule”, shared that she has already started to miss her much loved character “Srivalli.”
Rashmika took to her Instagram stories, where she uploaded a glimpse of her character from the shoot of the film.
“I am starting to miss Srivalli already,” she wrote as the caption.
Rashmika reprised her role of Srivalli alongside Allu Arjun in Sukumar’s action drama. Also starring Fahadh Faasil, “Pushpa 2” released in theatres on December 5. Ahead of the release, Arjun said that the ‘Pushpa’ franchise is incomplete without Rashmika Mandanna’s Srivalli. During an event, Arjun highlighted Rashmika’s unwavering support, calling her the kind of person who uplifts everyone around her.
Ranbir Kapoor and their daughter Raha, who turned 2 years old last month.
She wrote on the video, “And it’s up”.
December is a special month for Alia and Ranbir as they also participate in the customary Christmas celebrations of the Kapoor family which takes place at Kunal Kapoor’s (the elder son of late actors Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal) house. The entire Kapoor family gathers at Kunal’s home for the celebrations.
Last year, during the Kapoor family’s Christmas celebrations, Ranbir and Alia had revealed the face of Raha for the first time to the media and the Internet.
Earlier, Ranbir and Alia were seen cheering for the Mumbai City FC, co-owned by Ranbir along with Raha. Mumbai City FC squared off against Hyderabad FC during the latest season of the Indian Super League.
Ranbir and Alia, who tied the knot in 2022, welcomed Raha in November 2022.
Allu Arjun said, "I want to take two minutes and thank her for everything she has done for this film. Her support is immense. There is no way this film is complete without Srivalli's support. Me and my director have so much admiration for her because we keep shooting every day, and she comes once in a while. When she comes, those days are so pleasant. She leaves me like such a sweet girl, bringing in so much beautiful, positive
