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Bigg Boss 17 Finalists Spark Ugly Spat With Nominated Contestants

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Bigg Boss 17 Finalists Spark Ugly Spat With Nominated Contestants

The Bigg Boss house turned into a battleground as this season’s four finalists – Munawar Faruqui, Mannara Chopra, Abhishek Kumar, and Arun Srikanth – engaged in an ugly war of words with the nominated contestants.

Ankita Lokhande, Vicky Jain, Ayesha Khan, and Isha Malviya had been nominated for eviction in the week leading up to the finale on January 28th. However, they seemed in no mood to gracefully accept the final four picked by audiences after a hard-fought nomination drill.

Vicky provoked Munawar by calling him a disappointment, claiming the popular comic crumbled under pressure despite acting invincible initially. An onslaught of insults flowed from Ankita, who labeled her former friend a “coward” and “weak” before accusing him of abandoning his supporters.

Meanwhile, Isha questioned Mannara’s loyalty, wondering if she was two-timing like Munawar. When Mannara confronted her, Isha shockingly threatened to slap her, prompting a sarcastic clapback about her past relationships in the house.

The mudslinging highlighted the bitter resentment among those missing out on the coveted finalist status. With reputations and relationships shattered it remains to be seen if any reconciliation is possible before the season’s end.

As emotions run high, the Bigg Boss 17 finale promises unprecedented drama on January 28th from 6 pm onwards on Colors. Viewers can catch all the action 24×7 on Voot and JioCinema as well. The glittering closing episode will reveal which of the final four will clinch the winner’s trophy after 105 days of captivating entertainment.

ED Intensifies Probe Into Bengal Recruitment Scam With Raids Across Kolkata

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ED Intensifies Probe Into Bengal Recruitment Scam With Raids Across Kolkata

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) expanded its investigation into the high-profile teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal with a series of raids across Kolkata on Thursday. Over 12 hours, ED officials searched eight locations allegedly linked to middlemen involved in the collection and transfer of illicit funds related to the scam.

The raids focused on residences, offices, and properties connected to intermediaries accused of enabling the scam in exchange for bribes. Teams of ED officers, accompanied by central forces, conducted searches in areas like New Town, Nayabad, and Mukundapur from 6:30 AM to 10 PM.

According to an ED officer, family members of implicated middlemen were also questioned about suspicious transactions and assets. One intermediary with purported close ties to arrested ex-minister Partha Chatterjee and MLA Jibon Saha has drawn particular scrutiny. He allegedly owns over 400 assets in the state, prompting a wider probe into the origins of his wealth based on bank and property records.

Moreover, the ongoing investigation revealed the name of another suspected agent whose residence faced a raid. Later, officers came upon information regarding an additional property registered under the name of one intermediary and his associates, resulting in another search operation.

The ED raids came on the heels of CBI identifying the same middleman as a vital link in the job appointment racket. Last week, the ED also searched the Kolkata house of TMC MLA Tapas Roy over similar allegations of irregularities around civic body recruitment.

As the scale and intensity of the probe expand, investigators seek to unravel the complex financial trail connecting politicians, bureaucrats, and middlemen in the high-profile scam. The raids represent a wider effort to identify and dismantle channels used to extract and distribute illegal funds.

Indian Markets Rebound After Three-Day Slump

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Sensex Surges Over 700 Points; Nifty Tops 21,600 As Banks Lead Rally

The Indian equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty, rebounded sharply on Friday after a three-day losing streak. The BSE Sensex jumped 606 points or 0.85% to 71,792 in early trade. The NSE Nifty also rose 177 points or 0.82% to 21,639.

The rebound was broad-based, with all sectoral indices trading higher. Banks, IT, metal, and capital goods stocks led the rally, surging over 1% each. Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank, Titan, Tech Mahindra, ICICI Bank, and Tata Steel were among the top Sensex gainers. However, IndusInd Bank, Reliance Industries, Sun Pharma, and PowerGrid bucked the trend and traded lower.

In the broader market, mid-cap and small-cap shares also joined the rally, rising 0.8% and 0.9% respectively. This indicates improved risk appetite among investors.

The markets had declined for three straight sessions earlier, unnerved by weak global cues and continued selling by foreign investors. On Thursday, Sensex had shed 314 points or 0.44% to end at 71,187, while Nifty lost 110 points or 0.51% to settle at 21,462.

The rebound on Friday was powered by upbeat cues from global markets. Overnight, US stocks ended higher even as Asia markets presented a mixed picture earlier in the day.

Going ahead, the sustenance of foreign capital inflows and positive cues from global markets will be key for further upside. High crude oil prices and domestic inflation data remain on investor radars as key macro monitors.

Samsung Teases Launch Of Galaxy Ring – A Smart Health Tracker For Your Finger

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Samsung Teases Launch Of Galaxy Ring - A Smart Health Tracker For Your Finger

At its flagship Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, Samsung gave a sneak peek into its next potential wearable – the Galaxy Ring – a sleek smart ring aimed at health and wellness tracking.

The brief video teaser showcased the ring featuring a circular minimalist design with multiple sensors underside, likely to monitor parameters like heart rate, sleep, steps, temperature, and more. While details remain scarce, Samsung described it as a “powerful and accessible health and wellness device” that could redefine the landscape of digital health when launched.

The teaser followed a demonstration of an advanced Samsung Health experience leveraging AI to provide users with medication reminders and alerts about potential food interactions. The Galaxy Ring may integrate with this platform to serve as an easy-to-use health-tracking accessory.

With smart rings gaining popularity worldwide, the Galaxy Ring will attempt to differentiate with Samsung’s health tech innovations in a ring form factor usable for both Android and iOS users. However, specifics around features, pricing, and availability remain undisclosed as of now.

As a pioneer in the wearables space with its Galaxy Watch series, Samsung will face competition from existing smart ring makers like Oura, Circular, and Motiv. Its consumer electronics brand power could appeal to users seeking a holistic digital health-tracking solution beyond watches and bands.

Nonetheless, the brief video has generated excitement around how the Galaxy Ring could pack health tracking in a minimal, stylish ring design. More details from Samsung are awaited on capabilities, launch timeline and pricing as it forays into the fledgling smart ring market.

No Snow In Paradise: Gulmarg’s Tourism Hit As Kashmir Sees Warmest Winter In Decade

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No Snow In Paradise: Gulmarg’s Tourism Hit As Kashmir Sees Warmest Winter In Decade

The iconic snow-laden meadows of Gulmarg, one of Kashmir’s most popular winter tourism destinations, wear an unusually barren look this season. For the first time in ten years, the valley has not seen any snowfall, with the region recording unusually warm temperatures almost 10 to 12 degrees Celsius above normal averages.

The complete lack of snow until mid-January has left the beautiful vistas around Gulmarg bereft of their trademark white cover of snow. The slopes once buzzing with skiing enthusiasts now lie empty as temperatures hover between 13-15 degrees Celsius. Neither have the night temperatures dropped enough to allow freezing.

The unseasonal warmth has severely impacted local livelihoods dependent on tourism and winter sports. Hotel owners, sled ride operators, ski instructors as well as organizers of winter games like the Khelo India event are facing huge losses. Tourists, who arrived around New Year’s excited for snow-related activities, had to return disappointed at the bare brown slopes.

The regional Meteorological Department has forecast no possibility of snowfall in the Kashmir valley for another week at least. Locals fear that the region may not see any more snow this winter. This raises concerns on the long-term impact of climate change, pollution and global warming on local weather systems and economies.

In contrast, the Sinthan Top mountain, located in southern Kashmir at 12,414 feet altitude, has emerged as a winter attraction seeing consistent snowfall this year. Nearly 1.5 lakh tourists, including foreigners, have visited the pass since October 2022. With Gulmarg and other destinations snow-less, Sinthan Top remains the only place offering some snowcapped vistas.

But Gulmarg’s tourism stakeholders continue to suffer without the valley’s most iconic winter draws – snow-covered meadows and slopes. Environmentalists also worry that disappearing snow spells trouble for local ecology and increases disaster risks for communities in future.

Delhi HC To Hear Defamation Case Against MS Dhoni Filed By Former Business Partners

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Delhi HC To Hear Defamation Case Against MS Dhoni Filed By Former Business Partners

The Delhi High Court has listed a defamation suit filed against former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni by two of his former business partners for hearing on January 29th.

The suit was filed by Mihir Diwakar and his wife Soumya Das, co-owners of sports management company Aarka Sports had signed a deal with Dhoni in 2017 to establish cricket academies across India and abroad. As per reports, the couple has moved to court seeking a permanent injunction and damages against Dhoni and several media outlets to restrain them from making or publishing any defamatory content about them.

According to the petitioners, Dhoni and people acting on his behalf have allegedly been making false statements accusing them of duping the cricketer to the tune of Rs 15 crore. This pertains to an alleged breach of contract between Aarka Sports and Dhoni over not setting up cricket academies within the agreed timeline.

However, Diwakar contends that even before the court’s findings in the contractual matter, Dhoni’s lawyer Dayanand Shamra addressed a press meeting making defamatory allegations against them. Dhoni has also filed a separate criminal complaint over the claimed violation of the 2017 deal by his former partners.

The Delhi High Court has now directed its registry to inform Dhoni and his legal representatives about the fresh defamation case and scheduled the next hearing later this month.

The legal feud between the World Cup-winning captain and his erstwhile business associates that began over a commercial dispute has now taken an ugly turn. Dhoni needs to respond on whether his public statements regarding the issue constitute defamation as alleged by Diwakar and Das.

US and UK Launch Renewed Airstrikes Against Yemen’s Houthi Rebels

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US and UK Launch Renewed Airstrikes Against Yemen's Houthi Rebels

The United States and the United Kingdom have undertaken another round of airstrikes targeting Yemen’s Houthi rebels in response to attacks on civilian ships in the Red Sea region.

On Thursday, US forces bombed multiple Houthi-controlled sites across five provinces in Yemen, including a key port. The UK also participated in the joint strikes seeking to weaken the capabilities of the Iran-backed militants.

The latest operation comes less than a week after previous US bombings against the group. According to Central Command, it destroyed 14 Houthi missiles ready to be fired at commercial vessels and Navy ships passing through strategic Gulf shipping lanes.

Tensions erupted after the Houthis recently launched explosives-laden drones and missiles at merchant ships in the Red Sea and adjoining waters. The rebels claim they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

Earlier, a Houthi drone hit a cargo vessel owned by a US company in the Gulf of Aden. No injuries were reported. In retaliation, Washington put the group back on the list of designated terrorist organizations.

The US and allies like Britain, Australia, and Canada have warned Iran-supported Houthis over disrupting vital trade channels like the Red Sea. But the militants continue expansionist attacks, necessitating action.

While the strikes aim to protect shipping routes and deter rebels, experts say long-term diplomacy and stemming the weapons supply to Yemen from Iran are key to resolution alongside military force.

The conflict has triggered immense suffering for civilians in Yemen, already one of the worst human tragedies globally. Though necessary to counter direct threats, the impact of airstrikes on locals also merits consideration.

PM Modi Releases Commemorative Stamps Ahead Of Ram Temple Inauguration

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PM Modi Releases Commemorative Stamps Ahead Of Ram Temple Inauguration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a set of commemorative postage stamps on the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir along with a compilation of Lord Ram stamps from around the world on Thursday. This comes just ahead of the grand inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple next week.

The postal stamps feature various depictions of the under-construction Ram Temple such as the main structure, sculptures, and even elements like the Sarayu river flowing next to the temple complex. Other stamps display Lord Ram’s images with Lord Hanuman, Goddess Sita, Jatayu, and saint characters from the Ramayana epic.

In total, there are six commemorative stamps in what seems to be a tribute to the upcoming Ram Janmbhoomi temple. The stamps also artistically reflect the five basic elements – sky, air, fire, earth, and water, known as the Panchabhutas.

In a video message during the stamp release, PM Modi congratulated the people of India and Ram devotees worldwide, terming it a matter of pride.

The event comes as part of the larger set of consecration rituals being conducted at Ayodhya from January 16 onwards by the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. These rituals will culminate in the final ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22 marking the formal inauguration of the temple by PM Modi himself.

Laxmikant Dixit, the chief priest announced that Modi will be the main benefactor or the ‘yajman’ presiding over the final rituals next Sunday. The construction of the grand Ram Temple has been underway after the Supreme Court verdict permitted it at the disputed Babri Masjid site in 2019.

The release of the special stamps and Modi’s participation in the inauguration carry huge symbolic value for the resurgent Hindu nationalist movement over the decades. The commemorative stamps seem to celebrate the fulfillment of the Ram Temple goal.

Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas Hold Special Puja For Daughter Malti’s 2nd Birthday

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Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas Hold Special Puja For Daughter Malti's 2nd Birthday

Star couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrated their daughter Malti Marie’s 2nd birthday over the weekend with a special Hindu ritual. The family visited a temple in Los Angeles to seek blessings for the little one on her big day.

Chopra took to Instagram to give fans a glimpse into the celebrations, sharing photos from the puja ceremony attended by the couple’s close family members. The photos show two-year-old Malti dressed in traditional Indian attire – salwar kameez with a bindi – as she sits through the rituals with her parents.

“She is our miracle. And she is 2,” Chopra captioned the photos. Other photos show Malti dressed in an Elmo-themed party outfit, complete with heart-shaped sunglasses and a tiara for her birthday bash. Her proud parents can be seen showering their “miracle” daughter with love and affection.

According to reports, the family held an intimate beach party as well to ring in Malti’s second birthday. Chopra shared light-hearted moments from the beach celebrations, including her husband Nick Jonas taking their pet dog for a stroll.

Malti Marie was born via surrogacy in January 2022. The celebrity couple had shared that their daughter had to be kept in the NICU for over 100 days before they could bring her home. Calling her their “little fighter”, Nick and Priyanka expressed their joy to have her home last Mother’s Day finally.

The toddler’s second birthday brought in adorable wishes from friends and fans worldwide. Several Bollywood celebrities like Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza, and Naomi Campbell posted warm messages for the birthday girl as well.

Google CEO Warns Employees Of More Layoffs This Year

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Google CEO Warns Employees Of More Layoffs This Year

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has informed employees about further job cuts across the company in 2023, continuing the massive layoffs witnessed last year.

In an internal memo to staff on Wednesday, Pichai stated that Google needs to make “tough choices” to create capacity for new investments in key priority areas this year. While the scale of layoffs may not match 2022’s reductions, more teams and roles will be impacted.

“Many of these changes are already announced, though to be upfront, some teams will continue to make specific resource allocation decisions throughout the year where needed, and some roles may be impacted,” Pichai was quoted as saying.

The CEO described the layoffs as “removing layers to simplify execution and drive velocity in some areas.” The cuts are likely to hit various divisions, including advertising sales, hardware, and augmented reality units, though specifics remain unclear.

The announcement comes after hundreds of job cuts in the advertising sales division earlier this week. Last week as well, the company shed staff from divisions such as Voice Assistant, Pixel hardware, Nest, Fitbit, and its AR teams.

Pichai acknowledged that seeing colleagues and teams being impacted is “very difficult.” However, he maintains that Google needs to accelerate investments in “big priorities” this year, necessitating these painful decisions.

The unrelenting layoffs across major tech firms indicate the sector faces strong economic headwinds. With advertising revenues taking a hit, companies like Google and Meta have resorted to significant cost-cutting. How long the downturn persists remains to be seen.