From Saiyaara to Only Murders in the Building: Major OTT Shows on This Week

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September 11, 2025

Meta has announced that Instagram Reels has taken the top spot as India’s most preferred short video platform, leaving behind television, YouTube, and other rivals. The announcement comes as Reels marks five years in India. The findings are based on a survey conducted by IPSOS for Meta, which covered more than 3,500 people across 33 Indian cities to understand viewing habits, cultural influence, and the role of Reels in daily life.

The survey highlighted that short videos have become the leading choice for Indians when it comes to daily entertainment. Ninety-seven percent of respondents said they watch short-form videos at least once a day, and among them, 92 percent identified Reels as their go-to destination. The report further noted that the platform is especially dominant among Gen Z users and urban audiences.

Meta also emphasized that Reels has become a powerful tool for businesses. According to the company, four out of five people in India discover new brands through Meta’s platforms, with Reels playing a significant role. It was claimed that advertisements on Reels achieve far greater impact compared to long-form videos, delivering double the top-of-mind recall, four times stronger brand association, and 1.5 times higher effectiveness in brand outcomes than traditional skippable ads.

To maximize impact on the platform, Meta advised marketers to design content tailored specifically for the Reels format. They suggested that creating social-first storytelling and collaborating with influencers can help brands achieve authenticity and cultural relevance, ensuring better engagement.

The company also stressed Reels’ popularity in driving conversations across categories. It reported that engagement on the platform is about one-third higher than on competing apps. Fashion and style content records forty percent higher consumption on Reels, beauty and makeup posts show a twenty percent increase, and music and film-related clips attract sixteen percent more viewers compared with other platforms.

New Zealand Cafe Reportedly Asked Virat Kohli And Anushka Sharma To Leave Over A Surprising Incident

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September 11, 2025

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, who are usually seen keeping their personal lives away from the spotlight, have found themselves trending after an unusual incident came to light. The couple was reportedly asked to leave a café in New Zealand after spending too long chatting with friends.

The story was recently shared by cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues during her appearance on The Bombay Journey on Mashable India’s YouTube channel. Rodrigues recalled that she, along with Smriti Mandhana, had approached Virat Kohli for a casual chat about batting. Anushka Sharma later joined them, and the friendly exchange soon stretched into hours.

According to Rodrigues, the group sat at the café in the hotel where both the men’s and women’s teams were staying. What began as a short discussion about cricket grew into a four-hour conversation about life, ambitions and personal experiences. Virat even told Jemimah and Smriti that they had the power to transform women’s cricket and that he believed it was already starting to happen.

The players described the meeting as feeling like a reunion of old friends who could talk endlessly. Eventually, the staff at the café stepped in and asked them to leave, as they had been sitting there far too long. Rodrigues laughed as she recalled that being the only reason the conversation came to an end.

Virat and Anushka’s relationship has always drawn public curiosity. They first met during the shoot of a commercial in 2013 and began dating soon after. Four years later, in December 2017, they married in Italy in an intimate ceremony. In January 2021, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika, and in February 2024, they became parents again with the birth of their son Akaay.

Following the arrival of their second child, the family is believed to have moved their base to London. Despite their fame, the couple remain very protective of their children’s privacy and have a clear policy against sharing their photos publicly.

Delhi Court Throws Out Challenge To Sonia Gandhi’s Voter List Entry Before Gaining Citizenship

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September 11, 2025

A Delhi court has turned down a petition that sought action against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, claiming her name appeared on the electoral list several years before she had officially become an Indian citizen.

The case was heard by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasiya, who announced the order after considering the arguments presented and asking a set of questions to the complainant’s lawyer during the proceedings.

According to the petitioner’s counsel, Gandhi’s name figured in the 1980-81 voter rolls despite the fact that she had not yet acquired citizenship. They insisted that the very first requirement for being listed as a voter was Indian nationality, with residential details forming the next condition to be met.

Senior advocate Pavan Narang argued on behalf of the petitioner, stating, “In January 1980, she did not hold Indian citizenship. In that situation, how could her name appear in the electoral records?” He went on to say that her name was struck off the rolls in 1982 and entered again in 1983, once her citizenship was formally established.

During his submissions, Narang also made reference to a ruling delivered by the Allahabad High Court in 1985 in the case of Rakesh Singh versus Sonia Gandhi, which had recognized that the Congress leader became an Indian citizen on April 30, 1983.

After Bihar, Voter Roll Revision to Go National, Says ECI

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September 11, 2025

The Election Commission of India will extend its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise nationwide after completing a pilot program in Bihar, sources confirmed to the media. The comprehensive electoral roll re-verification aims to ensure accuracy and integrity across all states and Union Territories.

National Strategy Meeting Held

The poll body conducted a meeting with chief electoral officers from all states and UTs to discuss implementation modalities for the pan-India exercise. No official start date has been announced for the massive undertaking.

During the conference, the Commission reviewed state presentations covering elector numbers, qualifying dates from previous SIR exercises, and the digitization status of electoral rolls. Chief electoral officers also reported on mapping electors with earlier rolls and rationalizing polling stations to maintain the 1,200-elector limit per station.

Bihar Experience Serves as Model

Bihar’s CEO delivered a detailed presentation highlighting strategies, challenges, and best practices from the state’s SIR exercise, which will guide other states’ implementation. While some states reported full preparedness for the upcoming revision, others identified challenges from previous exercises.

The Commission also assessed appointment and training status for personnel who will conduct the exercise across the country.

Constitutional Mandate and Implementation

The Election Commission announced its decision to conduct nationwide SIR on June 24, 2024, “for the discharge of its constitutional mandate to protect the integrity of electoral rolls.” With Bihar facing upcoming elections, the state served as the initial testing ground, with the Commission stating that schedules for other states would be “issued separately in due course.”

Bihar Results and Challenges

The Bihar exercise faced complications, including Supreme Court intervention directing the Commission to include Aadhaar in the list of acceptable identity documents for voter roll inclusion or exclusion requests.

Nearly 65 lakh voters from Bihar’s total 7.24 crore were excluded from draft rolls published August 1. According to the poll body, this gap resulted from 22 lakh deceased individuals, 36 lakh who permanently relocated or were untraceable, and 7 lakh enrolled multiple times.

Following draft publication, digital and physical copies were distributed to political parties and posted on the EC website. The deadline for filing inclusion claims and exclusion objections ended September 1.

The nationwide rollout represents the Commission’s commitment to electoral integrity ahead of future elections.

YouTube Globally Launches Multi-Language Audio Feature After Two-Year Testing Phase

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September 11, 2025

YouTube has officially rolled out its multi-language audio feature to all creators worldwide, following an extensive two-year pilot program that began in February 2023. The feature allows video creators to upload content with multiple audio tracks without requiring separate channel uploads or video duplications.

YouTube Manual Process, Not AI-Generated

Despite common misconceptions, YouTube’s multi-language audio is not an artificial intelligence-powered dubbing system. Instead, creators must manually record separate audio tracks in different languages and upload them through the platform’s Subtitles Editor tool. Additional language tracks can also be added to previously published videos.

During the testing phase, prominent creators including Mark Rober, MrBeast, Jamie Oliver, and Nick DiGiovanni utilized the feature to expand their global reach by providing content in multiple languages.

User Experience and Navigation Of YouTube

Viewers can access different language options by clicking the Settings icon in the video player, selecting “Audio Track,” and choosing their preferred language from available options. YouTube automatically matches videos with viewers’ language preferences when multiple audio tracks are available.

The platform emphasizes that this feature addresses a significant market opportunity, noting in their blog post announcement that creators participating in the pilot program discovered over 25 percent of their total watch time originated from non-primary language viewers. Jamie Oliver reportedly experienced a threefold increase in views after implementing multi-language audio tracks.

Expanding Localization Efforts

YouTube’s commitment to content localization extends beyond audio tracks. The company has initiated testing for multi-language thumbnails with select creators, enabling customized visual elements that incorporate localized text and cultural nuances based on viewers’ language settings.

This thumbnail feature represents another step in YouTube’s strategy to break down language barriers and increase content accessibility across diverse global audiences.

Strategic Impact

The global rollout reflects YouTube’s recognition of its international user base and the potential for creators to significantly expand their audience reach through language accessibility. By providing tools for manual localization rather than automated solutions, YouTube maintains creator control over content quality while facilitating global distribution.

The feature’s success during testing suggests substantial untapped viewership exists across language barriers, potentially transforming how creators approach international content strategy.

Farmers Hit By Floods In Punjab To Get ₹20000 Per Acre Support From Government

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September 11, 2025

Punjab is grappling with its most destructive floods in four decades, with nearly four lakh residents affected in two thousand villages and over 1.75 lakh acres of farmland submerged. Officials confirmed on Monday that the disaster has already claimed forty eight lives, while three individuals are still missing. The worst devastation has been reported from Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Amritsar.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday unveiled a comprehensive relief package aimed at those impacted by the calamity. Speaking through a live broadcast from a hospital in Mohali, where he has been admitted since September 5 for exhaustion and a low heart rate, Mann joined the cabinet meeting virtually before making the announcements.

The package includes compensation of ₹20,000 per acre for farmers who have lost crops, a sum Mann described as the highest per acre payment offered by any government in the country. Families of flood victims will receive ₹4 lakh as ex gratia support. The cabinet also cleared the Jisda Khet Usdi Ret initiative, which gives farmers in affected areas the right to remove and sell sand deposited on their fields by floodwaters until November 15, without the need for permits or government approvals.

Mann had already appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter dated August 31, urging the Centre to raise its relief norms. He demanded that crop compensation be increased from the existing ₹15,000 per acre to ₹50,000, arguing that much of the produce was ready for harvest when the floods struck. He also proposed doubling the ex gratia for loss of life from ₹4 lakh to ₹8 lakh.

AAP’s Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia had noted a day earlier that a policy on sand removal would be announced, as farmers were anxious about preparing for the rabi season with large amounts of silt and sand blanketing their fields.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit flood-hit Gurdaspur on Tuesday. During his trip, he will review ongoing rescue and relief operations and meet with families who have been affected. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the revenue department has already released ₹71 crore for immediate assistance. Rescue work is being carried out by twenty four teams of the National Disaster Response Force and two teams of the State Disaster Response Force, supported by 144 boats and a state government helicopter.

Meanwhile, state minister Aman Arora called on the Prime Minister to announce a relief package of at least ₹20,000 crore during his visit. Speaking in Chandigarh, Arora said, “Even though the PM has not uttered a word yet for flood-hit Punjab, he is our PM and I welcome him with folded hands for his visit. I also expect that he should be seen standing by Punjab during his visit.”

Arora also reminded reporters that Chief Minister Mann had demanded the release of ₹60,000 crore of Punjab’s funds, which he claims are stuck with the Centre. According to him, the release of this amount is not charity but Punjab’s right, and it must be provided at a time when the state is struggling with one of the worst flood disasters in decades.

iPhone 17 Series Launches: Five Bikes You Could Buy Instead of Apple’s Flagship Phone

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September 11, 2025

Apple unveiled its iPhone 17 series Tuesday, introducing four models with prices ranging from ₹82,900 to ₹2,29,900. While tech enthusiasts celebrate the launch, motorcycle advocates argue that investing in two-wheelers offers more practical value and real-world adventure than premium smartphones.

iPhone 17 Series Pricing Structure

The complete lineup includes the iPhone 17 (₹82,900-₹1,02,900), iPhone 17 Air (₹1,19,900-₹1,59,900), iPhone 17 Pro (₹1,34,900-₹1,74,900), and iPhone 17 Pro Max (₹1,49,900-₹2,29,900), with storage options from 256GB to 2TB depending on the model.

Motorcycle Alternatives Within iPhone 17 Price Range

Royal Enfield Classic 350 (₹1.97-2.35 lakh) remains a popular choice for enthusiasts seeking the distinctive “dug-dug” experience. Its 349cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine produces 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm torque, offering classic styling with modern reliability.

Kawasaki KLX 230, now more affordable at ₹1.99 lakh following recent price revisions, features a 233cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine generating 18.1 hp at 8,000 rpm and 18.3 Nm peak torque at 6,400 rpm.

Yamaha R15 V4, India’s favored entry-level sportbike, starts at ₹1.74 lakh after GST revision. The 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine delivers 18 hp at 10,000 rpm and 14.2 Nm peak torque at 7,500 rpm, combining practicality with technology.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z (₹1.92 lakh) features a recently updated 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine with enhanced power output increased from 40 hp to 43 hp, offering significant performance improvements.

Suzuki V-Strom SX (₹2.16 lakh) caters to adventure touring enthusiasts with its 249cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine producing 26 hp and 22.2 Nm peak torque, paired with a 6-speed gearbox.

iPhone 17 Technical Specifications

The iPhone 17 series introduces significant upgrades including Apple-designed vapor chambers for improved heat dissipation, 3000 nits displays, and A19 chips supporting future AI features. Camera improvements include 48MP main cameras with 2x telephoto lenses and new 48MP ultra-wide cameras.

The Pro Max variant features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology supporting 120Hz refresh rates and a triple 48MP Fusion camera system with 8x zoom telephoto capabilities.

Hyderabad Robbery: Woman Hit by Cooker, Throat Slit; Thieves Take Shower, Escape

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September 11, 2025

Hyderabad: A 50-year-old woman was found dead in her high-rise apartment in Hyderabad’s IT hub Wednesday evening, allegedly killed by two domestic workers who looted her home before fleeing the scene.

Gruesome Discovery in Hyderabad’s IT Hub

Renu Agarwal was discovered deceased on the 13th floor of Swan Lake Apartment, a gated community in Cyberabad, after her husband and 26-year-old son returned home when she failed to answer their calls around 5 PM.

The family, who operates a steel business, had left for work around 10 AM. When repeated phone calls went unanswered—unusual behaviour for Agarwal—her husband returned home early to check on her welfare.

Finding the door locked, the family accessed the apartment through the balcony with assistance from a plumber, where they made the horrific discovery and immediately contacted police.

Woman Killed, Suspects Flee

Police investigations revealed that assailants had bound Agarwal’s hands and feet before attacking her with a pressure cooker. Her throat was subsequently slit using a knife and scissors, resulting in her death.

The perpetrators stole approximately 40 grams of gold jewelry and ₹1 lakh in cash from the residence. In a disturbing detail, the suspects then bathed in the victim’s home, changed clothing, and left their blood-stained garments at the crime scene before escaping.

Prime Suspects Identified Through CCTV

Preliminary investigations have identified two domestic workers as prime suspects. CCTV footage captured both men entering the 13th floor and departing at 5:02 PM on the day of the murder.

The suspects are identified as Harsha, who worked for the Agarwal family and was hired through a Kolkata manpower agency approximately 10 days prior, and Roushan, employed by neighbors on the 14th floor. Harsha is reportedly from Jharkhand.

Police believe the duo fled toward Ranchi on a two-wheeler belonging to Roushan’s employer.

Investigation Underway by Hyderabad Police

A murder case has been registered at Kukatpally Police Station. Investigators are collecting CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and witness statements as part of the ongoing investigation. Agarwal’s body has been sent for postmortem examination.

The incident has raised significant security concerns within the gated community regarding background verification of domestic workers.

Google Rolls Out Gemini App Interface Updates with Redesigned Prompt Bar

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September 11, 2025