Indian cricketer MS Dhoni and his wife Sakshi Dhoni have stepped into the film industry with their production house, Dhoni Entertainment. Their debut production is a Tamil film titled “Let’s Get Married.” During a recent press meet in Hyderabad, Sakshi expressed her admiration for Telugu superstar Allu Arjun.
Sakshi expressed her admiration for Telugu superstar Allu Arjun.
She revealed that in the past, before the emergence of OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, she used to watch Allu Arjun’s films on YouTube. She mentioned that these films were available on Goldmine Productions, dubbed in Hindi, and she watched all of them. she confessed that she is a huge fan of Allu Arjun and has seen all his movies.
Her praise for Allu Arjun has been well-received by fans, and a clip of her talking about her love for the actor has been shared on various fan pages dedicated to the popular Telugu actor, known for his role in the movie “Pushpa” among others.
Spotify raises the price of its premium membership services across all countries.
Spotify, the popular music streaming service, has announced that it will be raising its premium subscription prices in several markets worldwide. The company stated that the decision to adjust the prices comes as the market landscape continues to change, and they aim to keep innovating and delivering value to both fans and artists on their platform.
Spotify will also be adjusting prices in 53 other countries
In the United States, the Premium Individual plan will now cost $10.99, up from $9.99, and the Premium Duo plan will increase to $14.99 from $12.99. The Premium Family plan’s price will be raised to $16.99, up from $15.99, while the Student plan will cost $5.99, up from $4.99.
The price increases are not limited to the US; Spotify will also be adjusting prices in 53 other countries, including Canada, France, the UK, Mexico, and Australia. Existing subscribers will be informed about these changes through email and will have a one-month grace period before the new prices take effect.
It’s worth noting that other music streaming services have also made similar moves. Last fall, Apple Music raised its subscription fee for individuals to $10.99 per month, and Amazon Music Unlimited increased its monthly rate to $10.99 for non-Prime members. Recently, Google-owned YouTube also raised the price of its Premium individual plan by $2 in the US for both new and current customers, bringing it to $13.99 per month instead of $11.99.
Heat advisories are in effect for 40 million Americans
Amid a scorching heat wave, the US National Weather Service (NWS) has issued heat alerts for approximately 40 million Americans in at least twelve states, spanning from Montana to Texas and Florida.
The intense hotness is persisting in the US Southwest and is expected to worsen in the Midwest this week, with a stationary heat dome expanding from the Southwest to the Midwest, according to the NWS update on Monday.
Temperatures are projected to reach or surpass 43.3 degrees Celsius in states such as California and Arizona. Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, has experienced a record-breaking 24 consecutive days of temperatures above 43 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record set in 1974.
In addition to the heat wave, severe thunderstorms are expected
In addition to the heat wave, severe thunderstorms are expected in parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. These storms will likely intensify throughout the day as the atmosphere becomes more unstable due to daytime heating, with the strongest storms posing a risk of locally damaging wind gusts.
Tragically, Arizona’s Maricopa County has reported at least 18 heat-related deaths since April, with an additional 69 fatalities under investigation. The National Park Service has also reported four deaths among visitors.
Globally, June 2023 marked the hottest June in the 174-year climate record. The average global surface temperature in June was 1.05 degrees Celsius above average, making it the warmest June on record, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This June was 0.13 of a degree warmer than the previous record set in June 2020, and it continued a streak of 47 consecutive Junes and 532 consecutive months with temperatures above the 20th-century average.
Scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information reported that Earth’s ocean surface temperature anomaly, which indicates how much warmer or cooler temperatures are from the long-term average, also reached the highest levels ever recorded.
The extreme weather conditions are attributed to climate change and strong El Nino events, according to scientists.
On Tuesday, China’s National Meteorological Centre (NMC) issued a yellow alert for Typhoon Doksuri, which is the fifth typhoon of the year. The typhoon is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the southern coastal regions of the country.
The NMC forecasts that the typhoon will continue moving northwest
Doksuri is currently classified as a super typhoon and is moving across the Pacific Ocean towards the Philippines. It is anticipated to make landfall or pass very close to the Babuyan Islands in the Philippines between late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.
The NMC forecasts that the typhoon will continue moving northwest at a speed of approximately 20 km per hour. It is expected to enter the northeastern part of the South China Sea on Thursday and then head towards the coastal areas of Fujian and Guangdong in China.
Coastal areas in the Bashi Channel, South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, as well as coastal regions of Taiwan and Fujian, are likely to experience gale-force winds. Additionally, parts of Taiwan should prepare for heavy rainfall of 50 to 90 mm from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning.
Given the potential risks posed by the approaching typhoon, the NMC has advised the suspension of both indoor and outdoor gatherings and dangerous outdoor operations. They have also recommended the timely relocation of people living in vulnerable housing to safer locations. Furthermore, emergency typhoon preparations and precautions against possible geological disasters are being urged.
China’s weather warning system for typhoons follows a four-tier, color-coded structure, with red being the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. In this case, a yellow alert indicates that the country needs to be cautious and prepared for the impact of Typhoon Doksuri.
After killing his wife and in-laws, an Assam man turns himself up.
On Tuesday, in Golaghat town, Assam, a man surrendered to the police after committing a shocking triple murder, killing his wife and her parents. The incident sparked outrage among the town’s residents, leading to a chaotic scene outside the police station on Monday night after the man’s surrender.
The man, identified as Najibur Rahman, allegedly murdered his wife
The man, identified as Najibur Rahman, allegedly murdered his wife, Sanghamitra Ghosh, along with her parents, Sanjeev and Junu Ghosh, at their residence in the Hindi School Road locality. Sanghamitra’s sister, Ankita, revealed that she witnessed Rahman attacking the family via a video call on Monday evening. She immediately alerted the neighbors, but by the time they arrived at the scene, all three victims had already been killed.
After committing the crime, Rahman fled with his and Sanghamitra’s infant son. However, a few hours later, he turned himself in at the Golaghat police station, Assam bringing the child with him. Currently, Rahman is in police custody, and he is scheduled to appear before a court on Tuesday. The infant has been placed in a children’s home for care.
Ankita disclosed that Rahman had concealed his true identity, going by the name Rimon Bora when he married Sanghamitra. She further claimed that Rahman forcibly married her sister in Kolkata and subjected her to domestic violence. After enduring mistreatment, Sanghamitra had left Rahman’s house and returned to live with her parents in Golaghat, but he continued to harass her during his visits.
Local residents who were angered by the incident demanded capital punishment for the accused, leading to protests outside the Golaghat police station Assam. The situation escalated as the mob began pelting stones at the police, resulting in the police having to use lathi charge to disperse the agitators.
A senior police officer stated that Rahman is being questioned while in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
Student from IIT Hyderabad who went missing has been discovered dead
Last week, a 21-year-old student named Karthik, who was studying Mechanical Engineering in the second year at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, was reported missing. On Tuesday, his lifeless body was discovered on a beach, and authorities suspect that he died by suicide.
Karthik’s parents rushed to the campus on July 19 and filed a complaint
After receiving the news from IIT Hyderabad, Karthik’s parents rushed to the campus on July 19 and filed a complaint with the Sangareddy rural police. Despite their efforts and the police’s search in various places, Karthik remained untraceable. However, during the investigation, the police managed to track his mobile phone signal to Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
A team of policemen, accompanied by Karthik’s parents, traveled to Visakhapatnam, where they eventually found him. The student originally hailed from Miryalguda in Nalgonda district. The police have now shifted his body to King George Hospital for an autopsy as they continue their investigation into the unfortunate incident.
The poster for “Jawan” reveals Vijay Sethupathi as the “Dealer of Death.”
A new poster of the action film ‘Jawan,’ starring Shah Rukh Khan and Tamil star Vijay Sethupathi, was revealed on Monday. The poster introduces Vijay Sethupathi’s character as the “Dealer of Death,” portraying him as a formidable and commanding villain. The poster displays two images of Vijay, one in a close-up shot wearing sunglasses, and another in a long shot wearing a jacket.
poster release for ‘Jawan’ has heightened anticipation
The recently released action-packed video of the film had already generated excitement among fans, offering a glimpse of Vijay Sethupathi’s dynamic performance. Each poster release for ‘Jawan’ has heightened anticipation, showcasing Shah Rukh Khan’s bald avatar and Nayanthara’s fierce appearance, adding to the film’s appeal.
‘Jawan’ marks SRK’s second venture into the action genre after the immensely successful ‘Pathaan,’ which set records at the domestic box office and became the highest-grossing Hindi movie.
Directed by Atlee and presented by Red Chillies Entertainment, the film also stars Sanya Malhotra, Riddhi Dogra, Deepika Padukone in a special appearance, and Sunil Grover. Produced by Gauri Khan and co-produced by Gaurav Verma, ‘Jawan’ is set to release worldwide in theaters on September 7, 2023, in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages.
During the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Italy defeated Argentina 1-0.
Italy secured a 1-0 victory against Argentina in a thrilling Group G match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Eden Park. The game seemed destined to end in a draw until the experienced substitute, Cristiana Girelli, came to the rescue. Just four minutes after coming onto the field, she scored a crucial header to seal the win.
Girelli’s goal also made her the first player from Italy
Girelli’s goal also made her the first player from Italy to score in two editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. In the 2019 finals against Jamaica, she had previously scored a hat-trick.
The match started at a high tempo, with Argentina posing a threat early on through an acrobatic effort from Mariana Lorroquette, narrowly missing the target. Italians thought they had taken the lead when Arianna Caruso found the net from the edge of the penalty area, but it was disallowed due to an offside call against Valentina Giacinti, whose finish had been precise.
Both teams had their chances during the game, but neither could gain the upper hand. However, Girelli’s timely entry and headed goal from a Lisa Boattin cross ultimately secured the victory for Italy.
Despite a late surge from Argentina, they couldn’t find the equalizer, and it was Milena Bertolini’s team who claimed all three points.
Banks must handle delicately with poor borrowers who default on their loans.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made an intervention during a Lok Sabha session, addressing the issue of banks dealing with poor farmers regarding repayment of missed loan installments. Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Karad was responding to a question about harsh tactics used by banks against poor loan defaulters when Sitharaman stepped in.
both public and private banks have been instructed through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to handle such cases
She acknowledged that the matter is sensitive and has been brought to the government’s attention on multiple occasions. Sitharaman stated that both public and private banks have been instructed through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to handle such cases in a humane and sensitive manner. The government is aware of instances where banks have used arm-twisting tactics, and they have taken steps to ensure that banks treat poor farmers with compassion and understanding in such situations.
Taking a morning stroll in Bali, Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is currently on a break from work, recently went on a small trip to Bali with her friend Anusha Swamy. She shared several pictures and videos on her Instagram, giving a glimpse of their getaway.
Samantha can be seen enjoying the picturesque location full of greenery.
In the pictures, she can be seen enjoying the picturesque location full of greenery. She is dressed in a white top and matching shorts, wearing a hat with the words ‘Dream On’ written on it. The actress also shared a selfie with her friend, both of them smiling for the camera.
During the trip, Samantha posted images and video clips of the beautiful view from her room, captioning them with “Mornings like these.” They also had fun near a water body, with Anusha doing a cartwheel, and Samantha teasing her as a “showoff.”
Currently, She is taking a break from acting to focus on her health and undergo treatment for an autoimmune condition called myositis, which causes inflammation in muscles and leads to symptoms like weakness, swelling, and pain.
In terms of her work commitments, her upcoming movie is ‘Kushi’ alongside Vijay Deverakonda, a romantic Telugu film scheduled to release on September 1. She is also set to appear in the remake of ‘Citadel’ alongside Varun Dhawan.
Musk is renaming Twitter “X” and removing the bluebird emblem.
Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, announced that the domain “X.com” now redirects to “twitter.com,” and a new interim X logo will be launched later. He expressed his affinity for the letter X in a tweet.
Musk hinted that the platform’s name would change soon
He initiated a poll asking users if they should change the default platform color to black. Currently, black is leading with 74.8% of votes, while white received 25.2%. When a technology influencer referred to Twitter as “Twitter,” He hinted that the platform’s name would change soon.
In response to a user’s question about his new title as Twitter owner, he humorously replied, “Chief Nothing Officer.” Regarding user names, Musk stated, “We will have no name.”
He confirmed that once the platform changes its name, a tweet will be referred to as “an X.”
Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino described X as the “future state of unlimited interactivity,” centered around audio, video, messaging, and payments/banking, creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities.
he previously replaced the Twitter homepage logo with the “Doge” meme in April, as per a promise made in a tweet conversation with a user from the previous year. He also indicated that the Twitter brand and the bird logo would eventually be phased out.
Google is reportedly developing a new feature for Google Assistant that will allow users to summarize web pages. This upcoming feature, spotted in the latest Google app beta (version 14.29), will be called “Summarise.” When users are browsing the web using Chrome directly or when an app opens a webpage in a Custom Tab, the Summarise option will appear when Google Assistant is invoked. Users can also directly request a summary by saying, “Summarise this.”
Summarise option will be one of the first AI-powered features for Google Assistant
It is not yet clear if this feature will be exclusive to Google Pixel devices upon its release. The Summarise option will be one of the first AI-powered features for Google Assistant, making use of modern generative artificial intelligence technology.
In recent updates, Google introduced two new voices, Lime and Indigo, for its virtual assistant software application. However, the company reportedly deprioritized its plans to launch an AI-powered mobile chatbot application called ‘Bubble Characters’ designed for Gen Z users. This means that development work on the app has ceased after it was in progress since Q4 of 2021. The app was supposed to feature interactive digital characters capable of engaging in human-like conversations and taking action, catering specifically to Gen Z users.
Hindu-American community shocked by the death of top Dalit activist
Milind Makwana, a prominent Dalit activist and engineer, known for his advocacy against caste discrimination, passed away due to a heart attack. His sudden death has deeply saddened the Hindu-American community.
Milind Makwana has left a void in the Hindu-American community
Makwana’s demise occurred shortly after he spoke against the SB-403 caste discrimination bill during a Cupertino city council meeting in California. He was actively involved in fighting for dharma (righteousness) and the interests of the Hindu-American community. In his final moments, he testified against the SB-403 bill, which aimed to include caste as a protected category in the Unruh Civil Rights Act, a move that many Hindu Americans opposed.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Makwana moved to the United States in 2006 and worked as a technology professional. He was also a dedicated Sewa volunteer, engaging in various service activities and fundraising events.
The passing of Dalit activist Milind Makwana has left a void in the Hindu-American community, as he was respected for his passion, courage, and commitment to Hinduism and social justice. Many people, both locally and across the US, admired him for his advocacy and support of dharma.
The Hindu-American Foundation (HAF) and the Coalition of Hindus of North America, among others, expressed their grief and admiration for Makwana’s dedication to his community. They highlighted his efforts in fighting against SB-403, as they believed the bill unfairly targeted and labeled Hindu Americans based on their castes, leading to racial profiling and discrimination.
Makwana’s last words during the council meeting reflected his pride in being a Hindu and his concern for the marginalized voices in the community. His advocacy and passion for justice will be remembered and cherished by those who had the privilege of working with him.
As of 2023, the US has seen almost 400 mass shootings.
Over the weekend, the United States experienced nine massive shootings, bringing the total number of such incidents to 404 since the beginning of 2023. According to the Gun Violence Archive, a mass shooting is an event in which at least four individuals are killed or injured (excluding the shooter). The recent nine incidents resulted in at least four deaths and 35 injuries as of Sunday.
concerning the upward trend in mass shootings in the country
Since the start of the year, these massive shootings have claimed the lives of at least 453 people, including 161 children under 12. Additionally, nearly 400 children have been injured in these tragic events.
Compared to the same period in the previous year, the number of mass shootings has increased by 9%. This highlights a concerning upward trend in mass shootings in the country. For instance, in 2022, there were 365 mass shootings, and the total number for that year reached 647.
The data from the Gun Violence Archive, which relies on information collected or validated from 7,500 sources daily, shows that massive shootings have been on the rise in recent years. For example, in 2016, there were 383 reported massive shootings, while the following years, including 2021, all saw numbers surpassing 600, with 690 mass shootings recorded in 2021.
The figures provided by the anti-gun violence group underscore the urgency of addressing this concerning issue in the United States.
For sexual assault, a professor was arrested in Assam
According to officials, an associate professor at the North Lakhimpur College in Assam has been detained on suspicion of sexually assaulting students inside a classroom while they were intoxicated. Dr. Hemanta Sarmah, a college instructor of Assamese, has been named as the culprit.
Dr. Hemanta Sarmah, a college instructor
In the classroom, Sarmah allegedly assaulted a number of female pupils while intoxicated, according to reports. 58 college students complained in writing to Dr. Biman Chetia, the college’s principal, alleging that Sarmah had been drinking on two days last week when she was instructing.
Based on the allegations made by the pupils, the principal complained to the Lakhimpur Police Station, and Sarmah was subsequently detained on Sunday. In the meantime, a plot was planned against Sarmah notwithstanding his claims of innocence. The matter is currently the subject of more study.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Delhi on Monday was recorded at 28.4 degrees Celsius, which is a little lower than the seasonal average. The national capital is forecast to experience a mostly gloomy day with light rain or drizzle, with a high temperature that will likely remain around 37 degrees.
little lower than the seasonal average temperature
On Monday morning at 8.30 a.m., 77 percent relative humidity was noted. The IMD has also forecast an increase in rainfall beginning on Tuesday in northwest India as well as isolated extremely heavy rainfall activities over the Konkan, Chat, and regions of Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat. From Tuesday through Thursday, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh are likely to have light to moderate rain.
India delivers Nepal with a report on the railway connecting Raxaul and Kathmandu.
India has submitted the final location survey report of the Raxaul-Kathmandu railway line to Nepal for review and consideration. The report was prepared by India’s Konkan Railway Corporation Limited and handed over to Nepal’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation. The proposed railway line, which will connect Raxaul in India to Kathmandu, is expected to cost around $3 billion, excluding land compensation.
The railway line will be based on broad-gauge, allowing for a maximum speed of 160 km per hour.
Nepal’s Department of Railways is currently examining the report and will deliberate on the execution and implementation of the project. The railway line will be based on broad-gauge, allowing for a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. The railway will pass through several locations, including Birganj, Manharwa, and Sisneri, among others.
The project’s internal rate of return is 4.81%, and it is estimated that it will take 25 years to become profitable. The railway will have 42 km of tunnels and will require the construction of 124 large bridges and 40 curves.
The railway will facilitate the transportation of goods between India and Nepal and is seen as a strategic project with various advantages for both countries. The MoU for the rail link’s preliminary engineering cum traffic survey was signed in August 2018, and another MoU for conducting the final location study was signed in October 2021.
PM Modi is attempting to distract from the problems with the governance.
The Congress party criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the Manipur incident, accusing him of trying to divert attention from governance failures by equating crimes against women in other states governed by the opposition. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted that the Prime Minister Modi belated response of just 30 seconds to the incident was insufficient. He pointed out that the PM failed to address the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur and did not appeal for peace or ask the Chief Minister of Manipur to step down.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted that the Prime Minister’s belated response
Ramesh also highlighted the disparity in addressing crimes against women in different states, stating that perpetrators have been promptly arrested in Congress-governed states, while in Manipur, it took a long time for an FIR to be registered, and there has been a collapse of law and order and administration.
The Prime Minister, in his response, expressed his pain and anger over the Manipur incident, describing it as a shameful and insulting incident for the entire nation. He assured that no one involved in the crime will be spared and urged all Chief Ministers to strengthen the law and order situation in their respective states, emphasizing the importance of protecting women.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram also criticized the Prime Minister, questioning why he remembered Manipur only after the incident gained widespread attention. Chidambaram suggested that the PM should dismiss the government in Manipur and impose President’s Rule due to the discredited nature of the state government.
The incident in question refers to a horrific video that went viral on social media, showing two women being paraded naked in Manipur, leading to widespread outrage and demands for justice and accountability.
Actress Mrunal Thakur is eagerly awaiting her upcoming film ‘Hey Ninna’ and is now excited about her next project, a yet-to-be-titled film with Vijay Devarakonda, tentatively referred to as ‘VD 13’. She praised her co-star Vijay, noting that he has delivered memorable characters in every film he has done, including his iconic role in ‘Arjun Reddy’.
Mrunal recently announced her next Telugu movie alongside Vijay.
Mrunal recently announced her next Telugu movie alongside Vijay, adding to her collaborations with other South Indian stars like Nani and Dulquer Salman. She expressed her gratitude for the warm reception she has received from the South film industry and expressed her joy in working with such diverse and talented actors.
Having shared screen space with actors like Dulquer, Nani, and now Vijay, Mrunal feels that each of them brings a unique style and has different fan bases, making her work experience enjoyable and vibrant on set. She hopes to receive the same love for her upcoming movies, ‘Hi Naana’ and ‘#VD13’, as she did for ‘Sita Ramam’.
Regarding her collaboration with Vijay, Mrunal is excited about the opportunity to work with him, as she believes they can learn and grow together as actors. She admires Vijay’s ability to bring a special spark to his on-screen roles and appreciates the memorable characters he has portrayed in films like ‘Arjun Reddy’ and ‘Mahanati’.
The team of ‘#VD13’, which reunites Vijay and director Parasuram after their previous film ‘Geetha Govindam’, will begin shooting soon. The fans are eagerly anticipating this new project featuring Mrunal Thakur and Vijay Devarakonda together on the big screen.
In the second quarter, 5.9 million more people paid for Netflix.
Streaming giant Netflix reported that it gained 5.9 million new subscribers worldwide during the second quarter (Q2). Among these, 1.17 million new members were from the US and Canada between April and June. In May, the company introduced paid sharing in more than 100 countries, which contributed to over 80% of its revenue base. Netflix stated that revenue in each region had surpassed pre-launch levels, and the number of new sign-ups outweighed cancellations. This success was attributed to the crackdown on password-sharing, which had a positive impact
The company anticipates further revenue growth in the second half of 2023.
During Q2, Netflix generated $8.2 billion in revenue, marking a 3% year-on-year increase, and achieved an operating profit of $1.8 billion. The company anticipates further revenue growth in the second half of 2023, as they expect to see the full benefits of paid sharing and continued steady growth in their ad-supported plan. For Q3, they predicts revenue of $8.5 billion, a 7% year-over-year increase. They also estimate that Q3’s paid net additions will be similar to those of Q2.
To enhance monetization, it is actively pursuing initiatives such as paid sharing and advertising. They plan to address account sharing between households in most of their remaining markets. In some of these markets, Netflix is not offering an extra member option due to recent price cuts and relatively low penetration rates, which allows them ample room for growth without adding complexity.
