Scientists claim this soil-powered fuel cell can ‘run forever’

This fuel cell generates power with the help of microbes in the soil and can potentially be used in green infrastructure and precision agriculture applications. The fuel is around the size of a book and can potentially be used to fuel underground sensors used in green infrastructure and precision agriculture. It could become a sustainable, renewable alternative to batteries that use toxic and flammable chemicals which could leak into the ground when used in the soil. Also, the materials used to manufacture batteries come through conflict-affected supply chains and contribute to electronic waste. The researchers tested the new fuel cell by using it to power sensors that detect touch and measure soil moisture and published the results in Proceedings of the Association for Computing Machinery on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies. The former capability can be used for tracking passing animals. The researchers also added a tiny antenna to the soil-powered sensor to transmit data to a nearby base station by reflecting existing radio frequency signals. “The number of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) is constantly growing. If we imagine a future with trillions of these devices, we cannot build every one of them out of lithium, heavy metals and toxins that are dangerous to the environment. We need to find alternatives that can provide low amounts of energy to power a decentralized network of devices. In a search for solutions, we looked to soil microbial fuel cells, which use special microbes to break down soil and use that low amount of energy to power sensors. As long as there is organic carbon in the soil for the microbes to break down, the fuel cell can potentially last forever,” said Northwestern alumnus Bill Yen, who led the work, in a press statement. ‘Soil-based microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are not new. They were first created in 1911 and they operate not all that differently from a battery. They have an anode, a cathode and electrolyte. But instead of using chemicals to generate electricity, they harvest electricity from bacteria that naturally give out electrons to nearby conductors. These electrons from anode to cathode to create an electric circuit. “Although MFCs have existed as a concept for more than a century, their unreliable performance and low output power have stymied efforts to make practical use of them, especially in low-moisture conditions,” added Yen. This is because they need to stay hydrated and oxygenated to operate without disruption, which is quite difficult in dry dirt. But the new fuel cell developed by the researchers has a secret ingredient that makes it perform better under dry conditions — its geometry. Instead of using a traditional design in which the anode and the cathode are parallel to one another, this one uses a perpendicular design. The researchers found this fuel cell design generated 68 times the power needed to operate the sensors and was also strong enough to withstand large changes in soil moisture. Interestingly, the researchers say all components of the soil-based MFC can be purchased at a local hardware store. Also, theoretically, as long as there are microbes and carbon in the solid for the former to break down, the battery can keep running indefinitely.Meanwhile, the lower end of the cathode will remain nestled beneath the surface, and this makes sure that it stays hydrated from the moist soil there even when the top soil dries out in the sunlight. One part of the cathode is coated in waterproofing material to make sure that it can breathe even during a flood.  

Fear of Cyberattacks on Smart Devices: 1/3 of Americans worry about their smart gadgets being hacked

Top devices raising concerns among consumers are the Amazon Echo, security cameras, Google Nest thermostats, smart doorbells, and smart TVs, revealed the research by CraftJack, a construction contracting services provider in Evanston, Ill. Four out of five of those devices — with the exception of smart doorbells and the addition of smart locks — ranked among the top five devices consumers said they wouldn’t allow into their houses over privacy concerns, noted the study, which was based on a survey of 807 Americans ranging in age from 18 to 79 who have internet-enabled devices in their homes.“We’ve had substantial issues with people hacking nanny cams and laptop cameras in order to get a view into homes,” he told TechNewsWorld. “While security over this class has improved, the desire and tools to hack into these devices have been increasing, making it ever more critical that security should be one of the considerations when purchasing smart home tech.”Given the proliferation of smart devices in the home, added Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in San Jose, Calif., this is an incredibly under-reported topic.“The increasing integration of smart devices into daily life raises concerns about cybersecurity,” he told TechNewsWorld. “Consumers worry about the potential hacking of these devices, risking privacy invasion, data theft, and even physical harm.”“From smart home appliances to wearables, vulnerabilities exist, demanding robust security measures,” he continued. “Breaches can compromise sensitive information, leading to financial loss or identity theft.”“As reliance on interconnected devices grows, addressing these concerns becomes crucial to ensure a secure digital environment for consumers globally,” he said.While consumers should be worried about the risk they bring into their homes with smart devices, it should be the same kind of worry that drives homeowners to lock their doors, maintained John Gallagher, vice president of Viakoo Labs, an enterprise IoT security company, in Mountain View, Calif. “Any IP-connected device comes with concerns of it being hacked, especially smart devices because they can carry personal information and also often will have business information,” he told TechNewsWorld.“In some ways, the risks for consumers are less than IoT devices in the enterprise,” he continued, “where threat actors have access to more devices and likely more of a payout from their exploits. However, even in the home, the risks should be assessed on a device-by-device basis.”    

What the fintech industry hopes for the 2024 budget

A new BankBazaar.com article outlines the budget wish-list of the fintech sector, which includes getting all banks on board with the account aggregator structure, creating parity between digital and non-digital lenders, and treating unlisted equity at par with listed equity for long-term capital gains taxation.Expectations are high regarding certain favors being given to taxpayers and specific industries, even though India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that the upcoming Budget, which is scheduled to be presented on February 1, is only a vote-on-account (approving the continuation of existing programmes) and not a full-fledged Budget.BankBazaar.com has published a list of requests the fintech industry has made of the government in a report. While some of these requests may not be covered by the budget, they can be seen as a comprehensive list of what the fintech industry hopes to see in 2024.Account aggregator (AA) framework with fast tracking – The government introduced the AA framework in September 2021, which makes it possible for financial institutions like banks and insurance companies to securely share a person's data with that person when that person gives consent. The idea is that a person can electronically share their financial information with another financial institution rather than having to send paperwork to each one individually. The person must register with an AA, an organization under RBI regulation.The BankBazaar.com paper discusses getting as many bank accounts as possible integrated into this framework and bringing all banks—public and private—on board the AA system. According to the most recent data, a few banks are still not included in the AA framework, including City Union Bank, Dhanlaxmi Bank, RBL Bank, South Indian Bank, and others.It also discusses incorporating the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number, or GSTIN—a designation that in India identifies businesses that are registered for GST—into the AA framework. Once that occurs, it will open the door for small enterprises and retail consumers to obtain loans from many lenders in a purely digital manner.More documents have been added to DigiLocker. Additional documents including the EPFO passbook, ePAN, and form 26 AS (statement showing tax credit) should be added to DigiLocker, according to a BankBazaar.com article. Customers will benefit from easy access to their papers and the ability to share them with financial institutions for prompt credit disbursement.The Ministry of Electronics & IT introduced DigiLocker, a safe cloud-based platform for document exchange, archiving, and authentication. Using a smartphone or Aadhaar number, one can register for DigiLocker and then submit documents.Creating an even playing field for online and offline lenders The RBI released its rules for digital lending in September 2022, in response to the unscrupulous activities of illicit digital lending apps. The guidelines place the burden of proof on banks and NBFCs to make sure that, among other things, grievance redressal officers are engaged, loan-related costs are disclosed upfront, and digital lending apps and platforms do not misuse customer data. They also state that loan servicing occurs directly with the lender's (regulated entity) account and not the digital lending app or platform.According to the BankBazaar.com research, online and offline lending should be treated equally. This consumer-centric legislation that was put in place for the online lending sector must also be applied to the offline lending sector. According to the research, "the growth of the FinTech industry depends on the level playing field principle."Laws pertaining to the DPDP Act's implementation: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act) mandates that anyone in possession of data take appropriate precautions, obtain consent before using the data, and even face severe fines in the event that a data breach occurs. According to the DPDP Act, a "consent manager" is any third-party organization that is registered with the Data Protection Board and that gives people the ability to grant, monitor, and revoke consent for the use of their data by "data fiduciaries," such the government or a financial institution.   

Vibrants Comedy festival Full Golmal is presented by Bangla Cinema.

Updates on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Overseeing the primary rites will be a group of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit, while PrimUpdates on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a number of dignitaries are expected to attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' event for Shri Ram Lalla on January 22.The idol of the god Ram, made by Arun Yogiraj, was placed in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple. Covered in a veil, the idol's first photo was revealed on Thursday at the placing ceremony in the Sanctum Sanctorum.In the meantime, the Congress declined Lord Ram Lalla's invitation to his "Pran Pratistha" event. Senior Congressmen Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge have 'declined' the invitation to the significant Ayodhya ceremony.Three prominent members of the Congress party, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, have 'declined' to attend the major function at Ayodhya.LIVE updates at Ayodhya Ram Mandir's inaugural: On Monday at noon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. Following the ceremony, he will give a speech to the attendees of the event.According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), representatives of all significant spiritual and religious sects in the nation will attend the Pran Pratistha celebration.  

Recently, in a Meesho commercial, Rashmika Mandanna and Ranveer Singh

A new campaign from Meesho called "Jab Meesho pe hain latest trends, toh sochna kyun just maximise" has been released. Meesho has launched #Trendz, a curation that highlights affordability and modern designs, with an emphasis on Generation Z. Meesho wants to attract youthful consumers who are looking for stylish clothing that doesn't break the bank.A visual narrative starring celebrities like Rashmika Mandanna and Ranveer Singh is at the center of the campaign. Meesho hopes to position itself as a hip destination for fashion where consumers can find the newest styles at reasonable costs by launching this campaign.During the pre-launch stage, the firm showcased its fashionable apparel, the focal point of its campaign, in a transparent refrigerated truck that traveled throughout Bengaluru. The purpose of using the chilled truck is to convey the idea that trends are new and that refrigeration is necessary to keep them delicious. Prominent paparazzi like Viral Bhayani and fashion influencers like Urfi Javed intensified the online and offline dialogues created by the truck. The company created an Instagram page to provide details on the truck's daily travels throughout the city. Engaging social media users generated a lot of discussion, reaching an amazing 100 million people in just four days on various social media platforms."Fashion is ever-evolving, and many people struggle with finding the latest fashion trends at affordable prices," stated Nilesh Gupta, General Manager, Growth at Meesho. We have consistently worked to offer our clients the greatest items over the years, without sacrificing on either cost or quality. Our most recent campaign, "Meesho #trendz," was thoughtfully chosen to give fashion aficionados who appreciate both style and affordability a genuine and approachable platform. Through our partnership with trend-setters Ranveer and Rashmika and our use of humor, we hope to establish a lasting connection with the public.Meesho has partnered with Swiggy Instamart to expand its product offers even more. When clients shop for cold things (items that need to be placed in an insulated packaging) on Instamart, Meesho gives them free jewelry. Similar to the refrigerated truck, this demonstrates how new the trends are.Four films in all are part of the campaign, which will be promoted on television and online. Meesho hopes to make fashion accessible to everyone by offering a wide range of reasonably priced clothing options to its clients through this campaign.  

At the 2023 EFFIE India Awards, Mondelez India and McCann Worldgroup India triumph greatly.

With the Celebrity Cricket League serving as the Associate Sponsor, Craving Digital as the Imagination Partner, Diageo India as the Celebration Partner, and Heineken Silver Beer as the Beverage Sponsor, the Advertising Club sponsored the most recent edition of the highly anticipated "EFFIE India AWARDS 2023." McCann Worldgroup India won the EFFIE India Agency of the Year award, while Mondelez India was judged the EFFIE India Client of the Year. Enormous earned the coveted Grand EFFIE for Jaquar's "Unimaginable Brand Extensions" campaign."I am extremely delighted and proud of McCann winning the Agency of the Year at the Effie India 2023 Awards," stated Prasoon Joshi, CEO of McCann World Group India and Chairman-APAC, in response to the significant victory. With ideas and thinking at the center of our operations, McCann India is an organization that drives the growth of both our clients' businesses and our own in the rapidly changing global market where our industry faces tremendous challenges in defining the approach to the future. This culture of believing in creative greatness propelled by robust customer insights is what makes it effective. This is the trademark of McCann India, bolstered by a strong culture of creative and strategic leadership at McCann Global.The breadth and diversity of our business portfolio is impressive; among the many companies we have won honors for are Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Nestle India, MasterCard, Reckitt, Dabur, Hero, and many more."The awards were presented at a lavish celebration held at Taj Lands' End in Mumbai. They recognized the significance of achievement achieved by agencies and clients whose work redefined the parameters of marketing and advertising communication efficacy. Reaching a new high, EFFIE India received 1276 entries this year—the most in its 23-year history—from 79 agencies, marking a significant milestone.The Advertising Club's president, Rana Barua, remarked during the event: "The EFFIEs are a monument to the strength of compelling narrative and business acumen in our field. My sincere appreciation to the advertising community for their steadfast support in transforming these awards into a celebration of originality and potency. We congratulate all of the winners for creating advertisements that fascinate and influence our audiences in a meaningful way. Our industry's future is still being shaped by your inventiveness. Cheers to another year of pushing the envelope and spurring creativity in the advertising industry. "EFFIE India continues to showcase its unwavering commitment to celebrating excellence in advertising, honoring both exceptional work and the talented individuals behind it," stated Mitrajit Bhattacharya, Chairperson of EFFIE India, while explaining the awards. I would like to express my appreciation to the distinguished judges who gave of their time and knowledge to evaluate an incredible 1276 entries, creating a new record. Their dedication is genuinely admirable. Our sincere gratitude also extends to our sponsors, the whole Ad Club managing committee, EFFIE New York, the EFFIE committee, and The Ad Club secretariat for their unceasing efforts in transforming it into a thunderous celebration of ingenuity and inventiveness in the advertising sector.""In yet another magnificent year of the EFFIE India Awards, what stands out is how agencies and brands continue to put in their hard work," said Pradeep Dwivedi, Co-Chairperson, EFFIE India. Their careful contributions to concept development, faultless execution, and brand-building expertise are genuinely admirable. The EFFIEs have contributed, and will continue to contribute, a great deal of understanding to the idea of advertising honors. Many thanks to all of the participants and winners.EFFIE is widely acknowledged as a strong testament to an agency's capacity for brand development. It continuously stands for the pinnacle of advertising efficacy, praising and recognizing a campaign for its creative strategy, well-executed execution, and powerful messaging.  

In Bigg Boss 17 Munawar Faruqui teases Vicky Jain, claiming that Ankita Lokhande is the only reason he made it through the program.

The 17th season of Bigg Boss will end on January 28. The competitors are working hard to keep the audience engaged before the big show. Ankita Lokhande, Abhishek Kumar, and Munawar Faruqui will be seen ridiculing other candidates in front of the studio audience on the next episode of the show. While Abhishek will be making fun of his ex-girlfriend Isha Malviya, Munawar will poke fun at Vicky Jain's appearance on the show due to Ankita.In a teaser released by Colors, Munawar goes back to tell Vicky that, in one of their arguments, individuals just like him work at his house. The stand-up comedian responded by saying, "He himself is here only because of his wife." He also subtly poked fun of Vicky's "celebrity" position during his performance. Munawar was still making fun of Vicky, but Ankita was clearly angry. However, the comic was warmly applauded by the crowd.When Abhishek Kumar went center stage, he compared himself to Munawar, saying that they had both gotten into arguments about ex-girlfriends while living together. Additionally, he informed Isha that while she may or may not have shattered TV sets—as she had claimed on Bigg Boss 17—he had unquestionably damaged her "guroor" (ego).Popular TV personality Ankita Lokhande performed her act by reading it off of paper. She ridiculed the arguments she had with Vicky Jain on the show and said that viewers could easily discover four or five Bigg Boss episodes if they watched the CCTV footage of her and Vicky's home because they also fight a lot in real life. Vicky was giggling uncontrollably, but her performance did not seem to impress the crowd.Vicky, Ankita, Isha, and Ayesha Khan are the current Bigg Boss house eviction nominees.Bigg Boss 17's next episode will feature a roasting session. In a teaser trailer for the show, the participants alternated between making fun of each other in front of the viewer. Munawar targeted Vicky Jain as soon as he took the position. Ankita Lokhande seems displeased with Munawar's jokes, as evidenced by her lack of smiles. (Read more: Mrunal Thakur supports Ankita Lokhande ahead of Bigg Boss 17's "The Strongest" grand finale.)Munawar could be heard saying, "Jhagre mein Vicky bhai ne bola tha tere jaise 200 mere yaha pe kaam pe hain," in the teaser that the station posted on Instagram. However, in the course of our disagreement, Vicky informed me that there are 200 people who work for him who are just like me. However, to my knowledge, there is only one person present who is here as a result of his wife). While the other competitors appeared surprised by the roast, the audience applauded Munawar. Ankita became displeased and did not take the joke well.Munawar continued after this. "Ankita always bolti he ki TV unka maayka hai," he said, taking another jab at Ankita and Vicky. Ah, jyada der nahi ruk gaya idhar (Ankita's constant comparison of TV to her in-laws' house). Do you not feel that the son-in-law has been here a little too long? Ankita was not observed grinning like the other people, as she did not take this joke well.  

Bollywood celebs Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and others fly to Ayodhya for the dedication of the Ram Mandir.

Monday morning saw the arrival of a number of B-town celebrities who were invited to the sacred consecration ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. As they arrived in the temple city, Madhuri Dixit, her husband Shriram Nene, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal were spotted posing together. At the airport in Ayodhya, they were greeted warmly and given crimson shawls and roses.A social media video showed Alia and Ranbir navigating through heavy security to get to the automobile outside the Ayodhya airport. Madhuri, Vicky, and Katrina were also taken. Vicky and Ranbir opted for off-white ethnic Indian ensembles, but for this particular occasion, the actresses wore sarees. During the occasion, Abhishek Bachchan was also sighted at the shrine.Actress Kangana Ranaut visited Ayodhya on Sunday and participated in a temple cleaning campaign there. "Ayodhya is decked out like a wedding. Numerous locations are hosting yagya and bhajans. We seem to have arrived to "Dev Lok"...Regarding individuals who choose not to attend, we are unable to comment.She told news agency ANI, "It feels so fantastic to be in Ayodhya right now.On Sunday, Anupam Kher also arrived in Ayodhya. "I have reached Ayodhya with all the Ram devotees," he added, sharing a video of himself aboard the aircraft. In the plane, there was an air of deep commitment. We are fortunate. We live in a fortunate nation! "Jai Shri Ram!"Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram, who just got married, were also photographed outside the Mumbai airport before taking a flight to Ayodhya. The actor chanted "Jai Shri Ram" alongside the press.Consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Temple: Bollywood stars are in Ayodhya for the great Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha ceremony at the recently built temple. Bollywood stars are at the temple town of Ayodhya for the major consecration event of the Ram Mandir. At the Ayodhya airport, actors Madhuri Dixit, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal were greeted with red shawls and roses after posing together. See also: Ranbir Kapoor dons a dhoti-kurta for the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, while Alia Bhatt dazzles in a sareeCelebrity couples Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt, and star Madhuri Dixit with husband Shriram Nene were spotted posing in traditional attire with actor Ayushmann Khurrana and filmmakers Rohit Shetty and Rajkumar Hirani.Another video showed Alia and Ranbir navigating heavy security to get to a waiting car outside the airport in Ayodhya. Madhuri, Vicky, and Katrina were also observed. Alia wore a blue saree, Katrina and Madhuri Dixit opted for golden and yellow sarees, and Vicky and Ranbir sported off-white ethnic Indian ensembles. Online, numerous footage of the celebrities at the temple have appeared. In a video, the celebrities were sat next to each other as bhajans were playing. Businessman Akash Ambani and his wife Shloka Ambani were seated close to Ranbir and Alia.  

Mohammed Shami, an injured player, will travel to London; it will take him an additional month to return

Mohammed Shami, the injured pacer, is reportedly allowed to go to London. Shami hasn't played since the World Cup in 2023.Mohammed Shami, the fast bowler for India, is convalescing from an ankle injury he fought through to lead his team's bowling assault during the ICC World Cup. He is expected to see a specialist in London. The great pacer has stayed out of action following India's 2023 One Day International (ODI) World Cup runners-up finish. Shami was the top wicket-taker of the ICC competition at the end of the 2023 World Cup. Pacer Shami, who hasn't played since November, was hoping to make a return during the Test series against England.Shami stated that his recuperation is proceeding according to plan, and the National Cricket Academy's (NCA) medical staff was pleased with the 2023 World Cup hero's development. After missing the South Africa series, Shami resumed his training sessions with the intention of rejoining the Indian team for the England series. Shami, however, was not selected for the five-match Test series because he was unable to recuperate in time. Cricbuzz reported that they have information that Shami can travel to London in the near future. The head of NCA's sports science section, Nitin Patel, is probably going to be with the senior pacer. The report states that Shami and Patel collaborated at NCA to treat the pacer's ankle problem. Premier batter Suryakumar Yadav had a groin operation in Germany earlier.According to the report, Rishabh Pant may soon be sent to London by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Pant, a batsman and wicketkeeper, wants to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024. It will take Prithvi Shaw, an Indian opener, at least another month to make a comeback to competitive cricket. His comeback is contingent upon passing more difficult agility routines and acceleration tests.Before being cleared to return to competitive cricket, the Indian opener would need to play in a few matches. At NCA, Shaw is also receiving treatment. It is also the Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) hope that Shaw makes himself available for the Ranji Trophy knockout stages. Shaw may also aim for an IPL comeback. Delhi Capitals (DC) have already decided to hold onto the Indian opener for the 2024 IPL. Shaw's knee injury from the previous year kept him out of the domestic season for the most part. During Northamptonshire's one-day championship match against Durham, the Indian opener hurt his knee.  

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Young athletes are invited by IOC President Bach to enjoy their YOG experience at Gangwon 2024.

The Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 kicked off in style today with an outstanding Opening Ceremony that included a variety of K-pop artists and cultural entertainers. Athletes and other YOG stakeholders were present at the sold-out Gangneung Oval, which seated 4,500 spectators, and the fully reserved PyeongChang Dome, which accommodated 4,300 people.The ceremony's theme was "The Universe," which echoed the Gangwon 2024 motto of "Grow Together, Shine Forever." Moved performances narrated the tale of Woori, a young heroine who aspires to be the brightest star in her own universe and enjoy winter sports on an ice planet.International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach urged the 1,802 athletes from 78 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) that will be competing in these Games to savor their Olympic experience. He remarked, "Dear young athletes, this is your moment." "At the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, you are following in the footsteps of sporting icons who made Olympic history."IOC President Bach extends an invitation to young athletes to relish their YOG experience in Gangwon 2024, saying, "This is your moment. " The Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 kicked off in style today with an outstanding Opening Ceremony that included a variety of K-pop artists and cultural entertainers.The Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 kicked off in style today with an outstanding Opening Ceremony that included a variety of K-pop artists and cultural entertainers. Athletes and other YOG stakeholders were present at the sold-out Gangneung Oval, which seated 4,500 spectators, and the fully reserved PyeongChang Dome, which accommodated 4,300 people.The ceremony's theme was "The Universe," which echoed the Gangwon 2024 motto of "Grow Together, Shine Forever." Moved performances narrated the tale of Woori, a young heroine who aspires to be the brightest star in her own universe and enjoy winter sports on an ice planet.President Bach also praised the Republic of Korea for its hospitality, emphasizing once more the connections between PyeongChang 2018 and Gangwon 2024. Let's all give thanks to our fantastic Korean hosts. "I express my gratitude to Korea for providing this new wave of young athletes with the opportunity to pursue their Olympic dreams," he added. "This truly is an Olympic legacy. ""Dear volunteers, this is also your time to shine," he said. Korea, thank you! We all will embody the Olympic motto—Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together—as competitors, IOC members, volunteers, members of the organizing committee, officials, and spectators. "It is now with great honor that I extend an invitation to His Excellency Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of the Republic of Korea, to officially open these Winter Youth Olympic Games, Gangwon 2024."Building on PyeongChang 2018's Olympic Winter Games legacy are the Winter Youth Olympic Games. At these YOG, seven of the nine competition locations were also in use six years prior.  

Through to the Malaysia Open final, Satwik-Chirag

The BWF Malaysia Open 2024 men's doubles semi-finals saw India's top duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeat South Korea's Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae in the morning session. The Indian men's football team lost its opening game of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 against Australia later in the evening. The national women's hockey team then played the United States in their first-ever FIH Olympic Qualifiers game in Ranchi, which they lost 1-0. With only a few days until the start of the Africa Cup of Nations, the U-19 Cricket World Cup, and other major events, the build-up to January and the remaining high-profile events of the year will continue.With the Premier League, the Spanish Super Cup, The Best FIFA Football Awards, and other European leagues, there will be a ton of football activity over the next four days! The match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, which is scheduled for Monday at 12:30 am IST in the Saudi Arabian Super Cup, is the most important of all. A day later, Lionel Messi will compete for the 2023 FIFA Men's Football Award Best FIFA Men's Football Award against Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.Troy Johnson and Nick Kelly's outstanding collaboration in the Dream11 Super Smash quickly became the buzz of the cricket community; some even dubbed it the greatest catch ever made in the history of the game. Together, the two got rid of Will Young from the field. Johnson did acrobatics to receive the ball at the boundary and sent it back to Kelly, who was watching him carefully. In Ranchi, the Indian women's hockey team lost to the US team in the opening game of the FIH Olympic Qualifiers. Abigail Tanner's goal in the 16th minute helped the 24th-ranked USA defeat the sixth-ranked India 1-0. To compete at the Paris Olympics later this year, India must first advance out of its group and then place among the top three in the competition.In a fiercely contested match in West London, Chelsea defeated rivals Fulham, giving Mauricio Pochettino enough to celebrate. Cole Palmer gave Chelsea a goal just before halftime, turning his fifth penalty of the year into his ninth goal. They then managed to win their fourth straight game at home despite hitting the crossbar twice in the second half and fending off a late Fulham assault.India fought hard the entire game, but two goals in the second half was enough to lead Australia to the three points. In the second half, Australia dominated India in terms of ball share and usage thanks to goals from Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos, the substitute.Despite Australia had 12 corners in the first half, the score was 0-0 at that point. When Sunil Chhetri's header was misdirected and went left of the goalpost, he had an opportunity. Boyle had the finest opportunity for Australia, but he fired his shot over the bar. Although Australia dominated, India's defense was equally excellent.  

Ayushmann Khurrana: ‘I have managed to circle myself with family and friends who insulate me from the world of glitz and glamour’

It feels like there is never enough written about Ayushmann Khurrana to fully capture all of his many skills. In addition to being a fashion icon, he is a really gifted actor, singer, poet, and fitness enthusiast. The list goes on and on. As a result, we had a tonne of questions for him to answer when we finally had a chance to speak with him. But we did, and the nicest thing is that the actor from Bala answered all of our questions with happiness and patience! Ayushmann Khurrana, who was recently introduced by Bulgari as a "friend of the brand," spoke up about everything, including his path into social media, fashion, and workouts. He also revealed one personal detail that he feels few people are aware of. View the trimmed extracts below: How would you characterise your career graph, which includes winning a reality show and multiple acting awards? My career has been quite the ride, going from winning a reality programme to winning multiple acting prizes. From Vicky Donor to Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, every production has been a fresh chapter that has allowed me to connect with viewers and explore various aspects of drama. I believe that I've taken on difficult parts to push the limits of Indian cinema; the films and songs are not just significant achievements, but also mirror the teamwork that goes into giving viewers extraordinary cinematic experiences. I'm appreciative of the love and support and am looking forward to the next chapters. The works of legendary actors like Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rajesh Khanna captivated me as a child. My dream was to become a big-screen hero too. I am therefore really fortunate to have carved out a niche for myself and to be living my dream right now. As an entertainer, providing a common viewing experience for the community has always been my top goal. I've always selected my films with the intention of seeing them in theatres.  

Ladakh's Culture Shines During J&K's Mamani Food Festival

CHICKAN KARGIL LADAKH | MUSIC | SEASONAL | EXPO AND EXHIBITIONS | ART & CULTURE | MUSIC One of the most anticipated celebrations in Kargil Ladakh is the Mamani Festival, also known as the Ethnic Food Festival. People cook traditional foods on this day, such as Hrtsrap Khur Yeast Bread Markhur, Thukpa Popot Grain Soup, Puri Poli Pane Cakes of Buck Wheat Curd, Suggoo Kash or Pachae, and Skinn Kabchey. This festival has the potential to draw a lot of tourists to Kargil in the near future.Actions The Ethnic Food Festival, or Mamani Festival 1. Food Expo Booths 2. Customized Archery 3. Hockey on Ice4. Cultural Events5.The present study aims to give a comprehensive picture of Mamani, the sole ethnic food festival of Ladakh, India. A total of 40 people, selected at random, were involved in the interviews and discussions after receiving their prior consent. The annual Mamani festival promotes the preparation and consumption of traditional Ladakhi foods. It indicates the end of the harsher part of the winter season and is also considered a tribune for showcasing the communal and social harmony of the region. This festival will boost winter tourism in Ladakh. It will also be a helpful tool in the introduction of local foods at Anganwadi centres and schools. In light of modernization, this time-tradition that has started to fade needs to be revived on priority.LADAKH, a trans-Himalayan union territory of India since the ancient period has an extraordinary relationship with nature. The natives enjoy every season of the year with great zeal and enthusiasm. Ladakh is known for its harsh winters with average temperatures ranging between –20°C and –30°C. To cope with this period, several festivals are being celebrated in its twin districts, i.e. Leh and Kargil. Another reason for celebrating festivals in the winter is due to the people becoming free from all farming activities as farming is only possible during the summer season. One such festival is Mamani, an ethnic food festival that is celebrated by both Muslim and Buddhist communities in Ladakh. It is currently celebrated in majority of the blocks of Kargil district and Skurbuchan block of Leh district. It is also celebrated in Kargil and Leh cities by the inhabitants of these areas. Currently it is also celebrated in Bilargo, Brolmo and Skilma villages of Baltistan (a region in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir). The festival is not associated with either Buddhism or Islam, the two prominent religions of Ladakh, but is still practiced as a tradition.  

Jayaram the actor whom Malayalam cinema betrayed many times but was saved by other film industries

An impressive filmography that includes multiple blockbusters, a debut film (Aparan) that is still regarded as one of the best mystery thrillers in Malayalam, multiple films that have been seen by countless viewers over the years, and a master at handling slapstick, situational, and physical comedy with perfect timing and outstanding dialogue delivery. However, Jayaram sticks out as one of the few Malayalam superstars who experienced a serious setback in their career. Jayaram became one of those performers that one could not bet against after pulling off a string of box office disasters in the last ten years, all of which were critically and popularally derided. After appearing in about ten to fifteen films a year, most of which were successful, Jayaram reached a low point in 2020, 2021, and 2023 when he had no Malayalam releases and simply one movie, Makal (starring Sathyan Anthikad), in 2022. Two years later, Jayaram has returned to the Malayalam film industry, this time in the guise of Abraham Ozler, a crime thriller directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas. Jayaram has experienced a significant metamorphosis and accepted a role that is rarely offered to him in the industry. The actress could have her first successful role in six years with Ozler, following Ramesh Pisharody's Panchavarnathatha. Nevertheless, Jayaram achieved success in other languages, especially in the South, and demonstrated his skill while appearing in notable hits, despite suffering a string of failures in Malayalam film. More specifically, while Malayalam cinema tried to cast him in clichéd parts, other sectors saw Jayaram's potential and skillfully used it to their advantage, giving him consecutive hits even while he struggled at home.However, Jayaram sticks out as one of the few Malayalam superstars who experienced a serious setback in their career. After a string of financially disastrous films in the past ten years, all of which were critically and popularly derided, Jayaram established himself as one of those actors you could never really bank on.With the help of Rajasenan's 1993 film Meleparambil Aanveedu, he rose to prominence in the Malayalam cinema industry. The movie played in theaters for more than 200 days and was a financial success. He and Shobana had a good on-screen chemistry in the movies Dhwani, Meleparambil Aanveedu, and Innale.  

Mrunal Thakur, Nanis Hi Nanna will be released on OTT on this date.

Hi Nanna OTT Release: On December 7, 2023, the movie was released in theaters all across the world. In addition to Nani and Mrunal Thakur, Kiara Khanna and Angad Bedi play significant parts in Hi Nanna.Hello Nanna, OTT Launch: The Mrunal Thakur and Nani film "Hi Nanna," which did well at the box office, is soon to be available on streaming services. On January 4, the movie is expected to debut on Netflix. Netflix India sent an update on Instagram, saying, "Love is in the air, and with it, our excitement [?]Accompany @nameisnani and @mrunalthakur on their romantic journey through Hi Nanna.Hello Nanna, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi are available for streaming on Netflix as ofJanuary 4. #HiNannaOnNetflix.Nani portrays the sensitive character of a single father in Hi Nanna, one of the most anticipated Telugu films of the year. Shouruv, a debutante, directed this film, which was released a while back and garnered favorable reviews."Excitement and love are in the air." 'Hi Nanna', available on Netflix in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, follows @NameisNani and #MrunalThakur on their quest for love. It premieres on January 4. "#HiNannaOnNetflix," check out Netflix India's post on the microblogging platform X.Mumbai: On January 4, Netflix will launch the romantic drama "Hi Nanna," starring actors Nani and Mrunal Thakur. The streamer made the announcement on Saturday. The Telugu film, which was directed by Shouryuv, received favorable reviews when it opened in theaters on December 7."Excitement and love are in the air." 'Hi Nanna', available on Netflix in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, follows @NameisNani and #MrunalThakur on their quest for love. It premieres on January 4. "#HiNannaOnNetflix," check out Netflix India's post on the microblogging platform X.The plot of "Hi Nanna" revolved around a devoted father named Viraj (played by Nani) and his six-year-old daughter Mahi (Kiara Khanna). When Yashna (Thakur), a mystery woman, meets them and shows empathy for their background, their lives change forever.  

Vivek Oberoi confesses that he met Rohit Shetty only because of Ajay.

Vivek Oberoi talked candidly about his close relationship with Rohit Shetty and how Ajay Devgn was instrumental in forging it. According to Vivek, who spoke with Bollywood Bubble about their parallel start in the film industry, they have a great deal of respect and affection for one another. Their professional careers began concurrently. Then, with loving memories of their initial encounter, Vivek revealed that Ajay was the sole reason it took place. It was during the filming of Company that Rohit had given Vivek a call. "This young man is an excellent actor; come take a look at him," Ajay had remarked. Rohit was doing Zameen and Vivek was doing Company. Ajay Devgn, who has been to them both like a big brother, was the one thing they had in common. He praised Ajay and noted that they had worked on five films together, calling him one of the most kind, caring, and compassionate people. "So, Ajay Devgn doesn't talk much about those gestures he has." However, it is our responsibility to talk about it and praise him to others. I've known Rohit bhai since then, so. We've been friends for a long time, and he's always been quite supportive of my humanitarian work, particularly that which benefits law enforcement. And for that, Rohit bhai is always available,"Vivekremarked. The actor went on to say that he was asked to portray the role of Vikram Bakshi from the moment he first penned it, and that was when Rohit called him for the Indian Police Force and told him that he had been writing this script for three years.Then, with loving memories of their initial encounter, Vivek revealed that Ajay was the sole reason it took place. It was during the filming of Company that Rohit had given Vivek a call. "This young man is an excellent actor; come take a look at him," Ajay had remarked.Recently, Vivek Oberoi talked candidly about his close relationship with Rohit Shetty and how Ajay Devgn was instrumental in forging it. According to Vivek, who spoke with Bollywood Bubble about their parallel start in the film industry, they have a great deal of respect and affection for one another.Their professional careers began concurrently. Rohit was doing Zameen and Vivek was doing Company. Ajay Devgn, who has been to them both like a big brother, was the one thing they had in common. He praised Ajay and noted that they had worked on five movies together, calling him one of the most kind, caring, and compassionate people.Then, with loving memories of their initial encounter, Vivek revealed that Ajay was the sole reason it took place. It was during the filming of Company that Rohit had given Vivek a call. "This boy is a very good actor, come and have a look at him," Ajay had remarked at the time."So, those motions that Ajay Devgn makes...He doesn't talk about it too much. However, it is our responsibility to talk about it and praise him to others. I've known Rohit bhai since then, so. We've been friends for a long time, and he's always been quite supportive of my humanitarian work, particularly that which benefits law enforcement. And Vivek said, "Rohit bhai is always there for that."  

Repurchase Right Notification for 0.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 Announced by MakeMyTrip Limited

January 18, 2024, Gurgaon, India—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Leading Indian travel service provider MakeMyTrip Limited ("MakeMyTrip" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MMYT) announced today that it has sent out a Repurchase Right Notice ("Repurchase Right Notice") to holders (each, the "Holder") of its 0.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (CUSIP No. 56087F AB0) (the "Notes").If the notes are not repurchased, redeemed, or converted before then, they will mature on February 15, 2028. In accordance with the provisions of the February 9, 2021, Indenture (the "Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, trustee, regarding the Notes, each Holder may demand that the Company repurchase the Notes on February 15, 2024, and February 15, 2026 (roughly three and five years after the Notes were first issued, respectively) (the "Repurchase Right"). The Notes' issuer, the Company, is required to purchase all of the Notes at par on the Repurchase Date (as specified in the Indenture), which falls on February 15, 2024, provided that the Notes are properly tendered by theThe Company filed a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO in accordance with the regulations set forth by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). There is currently no advice or recommendation from the Company, its board of directors, or its staff to any Holder regarding whether or not to exercise their Repurchase Right.Under the terms of the acquire Right, each Note Holder may demand that the Company acquire all of their Notes, or any portion of their Notes that is an integral multiple of the US$1,000 principal amount, on February 15, 2024.According to the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Notes, the buyback price for such Notes will be 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased. There is no interest due on the Notes as of this date, nor does the Company anticipate any interest to be due on the Repurchase Date. As of January 12, 2024, the total principal amount of the Notes outstanding was US$230,000,000.00. Should the Repurchase Right be exercised and all outstanding Notes be turned in for purchase, a total cash purchase price of US$230,000,000.00 will be paid.  

Aman Raj and Honey Baisoya lead Indians at the Asian Tour Q-School.

After firing back two consecutive cards of 69, Honey Baisoya ended the second round Final Stage of the Asian Tour's Qualifying School tied for eighth place. The Delhi player is one of 16 Indians vying for a 2024 spot on the Asian Tour.Aman Raj ended with 68 and was tied-31st at 2-under for the two rounds. Raj had made four birdies between the fifth and seventh holes, capping an incredible start on the back nine with a run of seven birdies.Sunhit Bishnoi (73-69), Khalin Joshi (73-70), Gaurav Singh (71-72) and Yashas Chandra (73-70) were among the other Indians at T-34, T-45.Saptak Talwar (72–74) at T–99, Arjun Prasad (69–78) and Pukhraj Singh Gill (69–78) at T–120, Kartik Sharma (72–72) and Rahil Gangjee (73–71) at T–63.T-138 was Manu Gandas (72–76). Divyanshu Bajaj, Akshay Sharma, Harshjeet Sethie, and Sachin Baisoya lagged behind and were not included in the final cut.Jeunghun Wang of Korea took the lead after the second round, continuing his cool, collected comeback to the top of the game. He led on 10-under-par after shooting a four-under-par 68 at Springfield Royal Country Club, one stroke ahead of Taichi Nabetani of Japan, who posted an eight-under-par 63 at Lake View Resort and Golf Club.Hua Hin, Thailand, January 17: After the second round Final Stage of the Asian Tour's Qualifying School, Honey Baisoya tied for eighth place with a score of 69-69. The Delhi player is one of 16 Indians vying for a 2024 spot on the Asian Tour. Aman Raj ended with 68 and was tied-31st at 2-under for the two rounds. Raj had made four birdies between the fifth and seventh holes, capping an incredible start on the back nine with a run of seven birdies. Jeunghun Wang of Korea took the lead after the second round, continuing his cool, collected comeback to the top of the game. At Springfield Royal Country Club, he scored a four-under-par 68 to take the lead on 10-under par, one stroke ahead of Taichi of Japan.Sunhit Bishnoi (73-69) at T-34, Khalin Joshi (73-70), Gaurav Singh (71-72) and Yashas Chandra (73-70) at T-45, Kartik Sharma (72-72) and Rahil Gangjee (73-71) at T-63, Saptak Talwar (72-74) at T-99, Arjun Prasad (69-78) and Pukhraj Singh Gill (69-78) at T-120, and Manu Gandas (72-76) at T-138 are the other Indians in the field. Divyanshu Bajaj, Akshay Sharma, Harshjeet Sethie, and Sachin Baisoya lagged behind and missed the first cut.Following 72 holes of play in the final round, the top-140 players (and ties) advanced to rounds three and four, followed by the top-70 players (and ties).