New CNN head says network needs to recapture ‘swagger and innovation’

We’re committed to keeping our quality reporting open. By registering and providing us with insight into your preferences, you’re helping us to engage with you more deeply, and that allows us to keep our journalism free for all. You’ll always be able to control your own.  CNN’s new chief executive says the company needs to recapture the “swagger and innovation” of its early days – and that, he says, increasingly means embracing a future outside of television. Mark Thompson, appointed CNN’s chief executive last fall after stints at the New York Times and the BBC, outlined a strategy to his staff on Wednesday that included a corporate restructuring but few external specifics on how that transformation will take place.Once a “scrappy outsider”, CNN has been slow to respond to the reality of its primary television business shrinking, Thompson said in his memo.“There’s currently too little innovation and risk-taking,” Thompson said in the memo. “Like so many other news players with a broadcast heritage, CNN’s linear services and even its website can sometimes have an old-fashioned and unadventurous feel as if the world has changed and they haven’t.” CNN needs to follow the audience, and smartphones are where most people under 40 first turn for news, he said.To change the thinking, Thompson said the current national, international and digital teams need to be combined into one unit, under the leadership of Virginia Moseley as executive editor. Mike McCarthy will become CNN’s managing editor.Atlanta-based CNN is also hiring Alex MacCallum, currently chief revenue officer at the Washington Post, as an executive in charge of digital projects and services.That’s where Thompson, known for establishing the digital subscription service that transformed the Times as a business the past decade, will look for sustained revenue at CNN. It’s not clear whether this will mean a paid subscription service or other products. In the past, CNN hasn’t always “gone the extra mile to squeeze every bit of value from the outstanding news and other intellectual property we create”, he wrote. “No longer.” He said the CNN.com website needs “drastic modernization. .The network also needs multiple digital projects to complement the CNN Max streaming service, he said.With cord-cutting, the audience for cable television in the US has fallen by one-fifth in the past two years, he said. CNN’s full-day ratings averaged 479,000 in 2023, down 15% from a year earlier. Fox News Channel’s 1.22 million was down 18% and MSNBC’s 780,000 was up 6%, according to the Nielsen company. Thompson said CNN’s television personalities must find multi-platform audiences, and praised Anderson Cooper’s All There Is podcast about grief.  

Google to remove 17 underutilised features from Assistant: Here is the complete list

Google announced that it will remove 17 skills from Google Assistant starting January 26. In a recent blog post, the company said that these were some of the most underutilised features and that users would get a notification about skills that would not be available after a certain date. Here’s the full list of commands which will soon stop working on Google Assistant. The company is also making some changes to the Google app, with the microphone icon now triggering search results. While you can continue using the ‘Hey Google’ or ‘Ok Google’ keywords to trigger the digital assistant, the microphone icon in the Google app search bar will no longer be able to complete actions like turning off the light or sending messages. The change affects the microphone icon in the Pixel Search bar as well, which will now trigger voice search instead of Assistant. Google says that it is doing so to offer an improved user experience and that these skills weren’t used much in the first place. But this might also be a glimpse of what’s about to come. The company is also reportedly rebranding Google Assistant to ‘Assistant with Bard’, but a new report suggests it might rename the product to just ‘Bard.’ With Samsung rumoured to offer on-device generative AI features on the upcoming Galaxy S24 series and Microsoft Copilot directly competing with Bard, it looks like Google’s recent move may be a part of a bigger restructuring plan we might not know about. Ability to play and control audiobooks on Google Play Books.Settings or using media alarms, music alarms and radio alarms on Google Assistant-enabled devices.Managing cookbooks, transferring recipes from one device to another, playing instructional recipe videos and showing step-by-step recipes.Managing stopwatch on Smart Displays and Speakers.Using voice to call a device or broadcast messages on Family Group.Ability to send email, video or audio message using voice.Rescheduling events in Google Calendar with voice.Using the app launcher to read and send messages, make calls and control media in Google Assistant driving mode.Ability to schedule or hear previously scheduled Family Bell announcements.Asking Google Assistant to meditate with Calm.Control activities with voice on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3.Viewing sleep summary on Google Smart Displays.Calls made from Smart Displays and speakers will no longer show caller ID unless it’s made on Google Duo.Smart Displays will no longer show the ambient ‘Commute to Work’ time.Checking personal itineraries using voice.Using voice to perform actions like making payments, making reservations or posting to social media.Asking for information about contacts.  

India leads the world in average yearly PM2.5 levels and dominates the worldwide indoor air pollution chart.

Dyson just published the results of the Global Connected Air Quality Data project by analysing indoor air quality information collected using over 2.5 million Dyson air purifiers via the MyDyson app, where, India recorded the highest average annual PM2.5 levels when compared to countries like China, Turkey, UAE, and South Korea. The study reports that, in all the countries, the monthly average indoor PM2.5 levels exceed the WHO long-term exposure guidance for at least six months in a year with winter being the most polluted season in all geographies. In India, the levels exceed the WHO guidance every month of the year. The study also highlights that Delhi is amongst the most affected cities when compared to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Busan. The report also highlighted that, in Delhi, the air inside the home was 15 per cent more polluted than outside air. The study focuses on two different types of pollutants — particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), where, PM 2.5 particles will be as small as 2.5 microns in diameter, which will be invisible to the naked eye and can be inhaled. These particles are usually generated by wood burners, gas cooking, heating, pet dander, ash, and dust. In cities like Delhi, the indoor air gets 48 per cent dirtier in winter, especially during nighttime. The study highlights the need for an effective air purifier to remove a wide range of pollutants from the air, which includes technologies like HEPA filtration.Transform your home entertainment with the finest TVs from top brands, available at remarkable prices at the Amazon Sale today. Explore the captivating visuals of Redmi, the cinematic brilliance of Sony, and the cutting-edge innovation from Hisense, Samsung, LG, VU, and more. Don't miss out on these exclusive Amazon offers that bring these premium TVs within reach. Upgrade your home entertainment setup today, and seize the opportunity to enjoy the best prices on top-notch TVs.Unveil an immersive home entertainment experience with the Redmi (32) F Series, priced at just Rs 10,999 at the Amazon Sale. This HD Ready TV offers a 60Hz refresh rate, 178-degree viewing angle, and a metal bezel-less screen for captivating visuals. Its connectivity features include Dual Band Wi-Fi, 2 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth 5.0, and more. With 20 Watts Output, Dolby Audio, and DTS Virtual: X, you can enjoy a powerful audio experience. This smart TV integrates Fire TV, supports popular apps, and features a voice remote with Alexa. Overall, this is one of the best deals at the Amazon Sale.Experience the brilliance of Sony TVs with jaw-dropping discounts – enjoy a minimum of 45% off during the Amazon Sale 2024. Click on the link below to explore and grab some of the best-selling TVs and upgrade your home entertainment without breaking the bank.  

Apple gets a brand new office in Bengaluru, Galaxy S24 series launch

Tech News Today (January 17, 2024): Apple gets a brand new office in Bengaluru, and Samsung is gearing up for the launch of the Galaxy S24 series of smartphones with AI features. Tech News Today in India: Apple’s 2nd office in Bengaluru is located at Minsk Square near the M Chinnaswamy cricket stadium, and Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked 2024 will be hosted today, where, the company will announce the Galaxy S24 series of smartphones. Apple opens a brand new, and a second office space in Bengaluru, located at Minsk Square near to the M Chinnaswamy cricket stadium. The new office space can accommodate up to 1,200 employees and the company also has offices in other Indian cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Gurugram. Xiaomi's new 360 Home Security Camera 2k is now on sale. Priced at Rs 3,299 the security camera offers up to 2K resolution videos with 360 panorama view. The camera is also capable of detecting humans using AI, and it also supports two-way audio for easy conversations. Google partners with NCPI to take UPI to the global state. According to the latest announcement, this new collaboration will soon enable people to pay using UPI outside India. However, right now, there is no information on which countries will benefit from this development. Motorola's latest budget 5G smartphone with a vegan leather back panel -- G34 is finally going on sale for a starting price of Rs 10,999 with a Rs 1,000 exchange bonus. The smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 695 SoC, and it comes with 4/8 GB RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. The smartphone will be available exclusively on Flipkart and motorola.in.Designed to accommodate up to 1,200 employees, the 15-floor office boasts dedicated lab spaces, collaborative areas, wellness zones, and Caffe Macs. The Caffe Macs is a food and beverage service for Apple employees.Utilizing locally sourced materials such as stone, wood, and fabric in walls and flooring, the interior incorporates a touch of Bengaluru's essence. The office also incorporates numerous local plants, contributing to a green and eco-friendly ambiance.Apple emphasizes its commitment to sustainability, stating that the new office operates on 100 percent renewable energy and aspires to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum rating, the highest level of LEED certification for green buildings.Apple has maintained carbon neutrality for its corporate operations since 2020 and powered all its facilities with 100 percent renewable energy since 2018.  

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.  

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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.  

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.