DESPOT

At least 10 Houthi rebels were killed Sunday when US forces struck their boats in the Red Sea, two sources at Yemen's Hodeida port said. The US military earlier said it had destroyed several small boats operated by the Iran-backed Houthis after the rebels had attacked and tried to board a container ship. One source at the rebel-controlled port said the wounded were rescued following the strike. The other source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said there were four other survivors. "Ten Houthis were killed and two were wounded in the US strike on Houthi boats that tried to stop a vessel in the sea off Hodeida," the first source said. The second source said that "four survivors have arrived in Hodeida with two wounded who were taken to hospital". The US Navy had responded to a distress call from the Maersk Hangzhou, a Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned and operated container ship that reported coming under attack for a second time in 24 hours while tra...

New Year 2024 Wishes: It is time to say goodbye to the year that has taught us new things. Whether you've planned resolutions or are embracing the year with a free spirit, it is important to share warm wishes with loved ones. Here is a list of heartfelt messages to make your friends and relatives feel special this New Year: To new beginnings, exciting adventures, and creating beautiful memories in the unfolding chapters of 2024. Wishing you a new year full of fresh opportunities, new friendships, and the courage to chase your dreams. As 2023 concludes, embrace the lessons it brought, and may 2024 be a blank canvas for new achievements and joys. Here's to leaving behind the old, embracing the new, and stepping into 2024 with open hearts and open minds. May the dawn of January 1 bring with it a renewed sense of purpose, boundless joy, and endless possibilities. As the clock strikes midnight, may you leave behind any regrets and welcome the promise of a fulfilling 2024. M...

The Border Security Force or the BSF manning the Punjab border has managed to have downed more than 100 drones flying from across the border and caught 37 foreign nationals including smugglers in 2023. In a detailed statement issued by the security forces, it was shared that this year BSF has successfully detected and brought down 107 Drones and seized 442.395 kg of heroin, 23 weapons and 505 rounds of ammunition. They also killed three intruders from Pakistan and caught 23 Pakistan nationals including two smugglers, 14 Bangladesh nationals and 95 Indian suspects including 35 smugglers. "BSF has handed over 12 Pak nationals to Pakistan Rangers, who had inadvertently crossed the IB," added the statement. The Border Security Force, Punjab Frontier, is responsible for safeguarding the 553-km varied, tough and challenging Indo-Pakistan International Border that of Punjab. Over the last five years, the forces have faced a new challenge with Pakistan sending illegal arms and d...

A powerful earthquake shook Papua, Indonesia's easternmost region, causing no serious damage. The magnitude 6.5 quake occurred in Abepura, a subdistrict in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. It was a shallow earthquake with a depth of 10 kilometers. The region is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the "Ring of Fire". In February, another earthquake in the province resulted in the collapse of a floating restaurant, causing four deaths. Indonesia has a history of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, with past disasters claiming many lives. from Times of India https://ift.tt/IMgbkTW

London Gatwick Airport recently witnessed an extraordinary scene when an impatient traveller had an epic meltdown while waiting for his luggage. According to the New York Post , the passenger, who unleashed a verbal tirade on the baggage carousel, threatened to defecate on the conveyor belt if his baggage didn't arrive promptly. "We are waiting! If you don't hurry up I will go poo on the f***ing trail!" the impatient man angrily vowed at the airport. This recent incident has set a new benchmark for baggage carousel drama. The British traveller, whose name remains unknown, unleashed an epic meltdown after his luggage took a few extra minutes to arrive on a conveyor belt. As per the Post , the man screamed into the carousel in an attempt to talk to baggage handlers behind the scenes. He then threatened to defecate on the belt if his luggage didn't arrive promptly.   The fed-up flier waited for around 15-20 minutes for his baggage before climbing onto the conveyor ...

Pakistan has received India's request for extradition of 26/11 attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Friday. But she said that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between India and Pakistan. In a statement, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case." "It is pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India," she added. Earlier in the day, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has conveyed a request to the Pakistan government regarding the extradition of Hafiz Saeed to India for facing trial in a particular case. Addressing the weekly briefing, Mr Bagchi said, "The person in question (Hafiz Saeed) is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a UN-proscribed terrorist. In this reg...

In the spotlight for his stellar performance in the movie Animal , Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor is not only making waves for his acting chops but also for his commendable fitness journey that has everyone talking. The man who supported Kapoor's impressive transformation is none other than his private chef, Ramaskanda Shastry, who recently spilled the beans on the meticulous preparations undertaken for the film. Private chefs, especially those catering to celebrities, are tasked with creating meals tailored to their nutritional needs. Chef Ramaskanda Shastry, on his Instagram handle 'chefshastry', revealed the kind of diet Ranbir Kapoor followed for Animal.   "When the prep for Animal began, we knew we were preparing for something 'MASSive.' Since it was crucial for Ranbir's character to look a certain way, it was essential that he gained some weight and muscle. So, we put in all our effort into planning his diet," shared Shastry in a revealing Inst...

Kareena Kapoor is living her best life in Switzerland and her Instagram stories stand as proof. On Thursday, the Udta Punjab actress treated her social media fans and followers to some picturesque shots from her holiday in the snow-capped Alps. In one picture, we can see Kareena staring out her window. She captioned the image as, "Chasing the light, 4 days to 2024." In the second image, she gave us a glimpse of the surrounding. Below the picture, she wrote, "find your light." The third picture featured Kareena Kapoor posing with her friend Natasha Poonawalla." She captioned the picture as "this is how we keep warm in the snow." Take a look at the stories below: A few days back, Kareena Kapoor shared an in-flight picture of baby Jeh sharing out the window.  She captioned the photo, “Baby in the Alps.” This is the picture we are talking about: The Heroine star has been a regular visitor to Gstaad in the Swiss Alps for her annual retreat...

India's mutual funds industry is experiencing a blockbuster year, marked by a record surge in assets under management and the addition of more than 20 million new investment accounts. Fueled by the insatiable thirst for financial gains, young Indians armed with smartphones are increasingly investing in equity markets. This trend has boosted fund assets by 19% in the first 11 months of 2023, outperforming major peers like the US, Japan, and China. The industry has come of age, with consistent and sticky flows of domestic money, which have shielded the market from foreign outflows. from Times of India https://ift.tt/JIUgvGE

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which provides security cover to the Delhi Metro and airports across the country, has got its first woman chief. Nina Singh, a 1989-batch IPS officer of Rajasthan cadre who was serving as the Special DG of CISF, has become the first woman to be elevated to the post of Director General in the central force. She has been with the CISF since 2021 and will remain at the helm till her retirement on July 31 next year. Anish Dayal Singh, who was heading the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has been named the Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) as part of the new appointments. Nina Singh, who is from Bihar, studied at the Patna Women's College and the Jawaharlal Nehru University. She also holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard University. Her achievements include becoming the first woman to hold the top police post in Rajasthan. Six officers are in the Director General rank in the state polic...

The new airport in Ayodhya will be named after sage poet Maharishi Valmiki, sources said on Thursday. According to the sources, the name of the new airport will be 'Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly built Ayodhya Airport on December 30. "Phase 1 of the state-of-the-art airport is developed at a cost of more than Rs 1,450 crore. The airport's terminal building will have an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually. The facade of the Terminal Building depicts the temple architecture of the upcoming Shri Ram Mandir of Ayodhya. The interiors of the terminal Building are decorated with local art, paintings and murals depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. The terminal building of Ayodhya airport is also equipped with various sustainability features like an insulated roofing system, LED lighting, rainwater ha...

KL Rahul 's brave century during the ongoing opening Test against South Africa here on Wednesday drew high acclaim from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar , who has rated the knock "in the top ten in the history" of India's red-ball cricket. Rahul, who walked into the middle while the Indians were four down for 92 on Day 1 on Tuesday, made a gutsy 101 off 137 balls before being knocked over by debutant pacer Nandre Burger , as the visitors were all out for 245. Commentating in Hindi on Star Sports, Gavaskar asserted that Rahul's knock had come on a difficult surface, where the ball was behaving erratically, and felt that the confidence needed to bat on such a track has to be enormous. "I have been watching cricket for over 50 years now, and I can undoubtedly say this century by Rahul has to be in the top ten of India's Test history because it's a different pitch here," Gavaskar said. "A batter would not gain the confidence so easily that he has...

Less than a week after Sakshee Malikkh announced her retirement from wrestling and Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri, Vinesh Phogat, the third top wrestler who was part of the protests against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, has announced that she will return her Khel Ratna and Arjuna Award. Brij Bhushan, a BJP MP, had been accused of sexual harassment by many women wrestlers, and Ms Malikkh, Mr Punia and Ms Phogat had been at the forefront of the protests against him. The wrestlers' decisions have been taken in quick succession in a span of six days since a panel led by Sanjay Singh, a close aide of Brij Bhushan, won the elections to the Wrestling Federation of India by a landslide on Thursday, indicating a continuity of leadership in the body. The panel was suspended by the sports ministry on Sunday. In an emotional open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, Ms Phogat, who has won gold medals at both the Commonwealth and A...

Army transfers Brigadier and officers of 13 Rashtriya Rifles following terrorist ambush in J&K's Poonch. Deaths of three men during custody sparks protests. Transfers confirmed before Army chief's visit to assess operational preparedness. Disciplinary action considered after internal investigation. FIR filed by J&K police. Compensation and jobs announced for deceased's families. Defence minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to visit Jammu for security review meeting. Change of command expected in 13 RR area. Homage paid to four slain soldiers. Search operation ongoing with mobile internet services suspended. from Times of India https://ift.tt/FlDvgj4

A senior general with Iran's Revolutionary Guards was killed Monday by an Israeli strike in Syria, the military force said, with Tehran vowing to make Israel "pay for this crime". Iranian state media also reported the death of Razi Moussavi, describing him as "one of the most experienced advisors" of Quds Force, the foreign arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). There was no immediate comment from Israel, which has repeatedly said it will not allow arch-enemy Iran to expand its presence in Syria. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed condolences for Moussavi's death, saying Israel "will certainly pay for this crime". The general "was killed during an attack by the Zionist regime a few hours ago in Zeinabiyah district in the suburbs of Damascus," official news agency IRNA reported, using a different name for Sayyida Zeinab south of the Syrian capital. Moussavi was "active in the field of providing logistical sup...

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti raises serious allegations of people being detained and tortured in Army custody near the terrorist ambush site in Poonch district. The discovery of bodies of three men from Topa Peer village near the site has led to suspicions that they died in Army custody. Official sources confirm that 10 injured civilians are receiving treatment in hospitals. Mehbooba accuses the authorities of treating people like 'enemies of the state' and highlights the case of Farooq from Thana Mandi who is in the hospital with torture wounds. from Times of India https://ift.tt/X7NHF3o

from Times of India https://ift.tt/GFJW0Sw

Industrialist Harsh Goenka often shares motivational and interesting posts to keep his social media fans entertained. On Friday, the tech-savvy businessman shared a thought-provoking video about an issue that is significantly relevant to our lives. The video talks about smartphone addiction and how it impacts our relationships. While phones keep us connected and help maintain relationships, in some ways, they drive a wedge between us, too.  Mr Goenka shared the video of inspirational speaker Simon Sinek wherein he explains how even holding a phone in our hands while talking to someone else gives them the impression that they are not the top priority. ''Imagine I'm here talking to you, holding my phone. It's not buzzing, not beeping, and no one's calling me, I'm just holding it. Do you feel as if you're the most important thing to me right now? No, you don't. That's the association'' Mr Sinek said in the video.  ''Step away from the ...

Parveen Kaswan, an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer who frequently shares fascinating facts about wildlife, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share pictures of 'pseudo-melanistic' tigers found in Simlipal, Odisha. On Friday, he posted the captivating images of this extraordinary tiger, along with details on its rarity and origins. Notably, the melanistic tigers - a rare gene pool on which the black stripes are far more prominent than the Royal Bengal Tiger's - are found only in Odisha. They are often referred to as 'black tigers' due to their dense and dark stripe patterns.  "The black tigers of #India. Do you know there are pseudo- melanistic tigers found in Simlipal. They are such due to genetic mutation & highly rare. Such beautiful creature," Mr Kaswan wrote on X.  Take a look at the pictures below:  The black tigers of #India . Do you know there are pseudo- melanistic tigers found in Simlipal. They are such due to genetic mutation ...

Niraj Shah, Indian-American Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of online furniture firm Wayfair, curated a special message for his employees after the company yielded profitable results. According to CNN , in his note to employees, Mr Shah not only encouraged employees to work hard and be ambitious but also asked them to do more work and blend "work with life". He told them to not shy away from working long hours and added that there was no historical evidence which showed laziness led to success.  "Winning requires hard work. I believe that most of us, being ambitious individuals, find fulfilment in the joy of seeing our efforts materialize into tangible results," the CEO said in a note to employees earlier this month, as per CNN . "Working long hours, being responsive, blending work and life, is not anything to shy away from. There is not a lot of history of laziness being rewarded with success," he added.  According to Fortune , Mr Shah also added that the...

Samsung Galaxy S24 series is expected to launch in January 2024 in a Galaxy Unpacked event. The upcoming lineup that is said to succeed the Galaxy S23 series that arrived in global markets in February this year, is likely to include a base Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra models. Specifications, design renders, colour options and configurations of the purported Galaxy S24 handsets have surfaced online multiple times in the past few weeks and a tipster has now leaked the complete specifications of the three anticipated smartphones.  Tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks) leaked the detailed specifications of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 series models in a post on X. The original media was soon removed from the platform following a content takedown request, but 9to5Google snapped a screenshot of the specifications sheet before it was taken down. Samsung Galaxy S24 series leaked specifications sheet Photo Credit: X/ @evleaks (via 9to5Google)   As per the leak...

Zomato denies reports of acquisition offer for Shiprocket by Bloomberg. from Times of India https://ift.tt/DVJQ10l

Shubman Gill was at his silken best during Indian team's intra-squad training game at the Tuks Oval on Thursday even though there wasn't an opportunity to get a glimpse of that enchanting sight. Coming in at No. 3, Gill helped himself to a hundred on the second day of the three-day match, playing all the bowlers with consummate ease, adding a dash of confidence in him ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa beginning on December 26. The Tuks Oval in Pretoria has been kept out of bounds for media even as the Indian team went ahead with their match simulation ahead of the Boxing Day Test. The venue is around 45-minute drive from the Supersport Park in Centurion where the first Test will be held. Trying to keep their cards close to the chest, head coach Rahul Dravid and team management didn't want the match to be watched by outsiders as it can give a clearer idea about their strategy to be deployed against the Proteas. Closed door trainings are a common fe...

A Manipur woman was shocked to see the name of a one-month-old infant, whom she knew, appear on social media posts as a "victim" of the ethnic violence that began on May 3. Bisoya Loitongbam, 41, knew the infant as she had donated Rs 1 lakh for the treatment of Hirschsprung disease, a birth defect in which some nerve cells are missing in the large intestine. The infant had been already under treatment at a hospital in the state capital Imphal for three weeks before May 3, the SOS note sent to prospective donors show. May 3 was the day clashes broke out between the hill-majority Kuki tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis. "I got a call from the top district official on May 7 about a baby who needs to be admitted to a good hospital with advanced equipment. The next day I immediately sent Rs 1 lakh. I got to know from the doctors that the baby unfortunately died after surgery on May 9," Ms Loitongbam told NDTV on phone from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow, where she is...

The JN.1 variant of Covid, causing concern in India, has mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue. Gastrointestinal problems may also occur. The central government has issued advisories to state governments, urging adequate health arrangements. The WHO classifies JN.1 as a "variant of interest" with limited threat. Vaccinations targeting the spike protein should remain effective against JN.1. To prevent infection, experts recommend masking up in crowded areas, staying in well-ventilated spaces, and frequent handwashing. from Times of India https://ift.tt/rvSxh2u

Katrina Kaif just dropped the trailer of her upcoming film Merry Christmas alongside Vijay Sethupathi and her friends from Bollywood cannot stop fawning over it. Alia Bhatt, who will be working with the actress in Farhan Akhtar's Jee le Zaraa , reacted to the trailer on Wednesday in the most adorable way. She shared the trailer on her Instagram story and wrote, "Okay this is very very cool. I am excited. Just must  Her reacted was also shared by Katrina on her feed. Take a look at what Alia Bhatt had to say about Merry Christmas trailer: Besides Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif's husband Vicky Kaushal and industry friend Varun Dhawan also reacted to the trailer. Vicky Kaushal wrote, "One of the best cut trailers. Can't wait for this this gem from the genius." Varun Dhawan, who has worked with director Sriram Raghavan in Badlapur wrote, "The twisted genius Sriram R is back." Take a look at their reactions below: The trailer of Merry Christmas ...

Citing a new book written by former Army chief General M M Naravane, the Congress alleged on Tuesday that the Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment into the armed forces was "bulldozed" through, "without meaningful consultations" with those who were being directly impacted by such a "disastrous policy". In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The headlines are being hogged by the mass suspension of INDIA MPs that has reached 142 till now. But these headlines should not minimise the importance of other news."  Former Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane has disclosed in his memoir that the Agnipath or Agniveer scheme came as a total surprise to the Army, Air Force and Navy chiefs, Mr Ramesh said. "He (Naravane) has now confirmed what had been commonly believed when the Agnipath/Agniveer scheme was bulldozed through without meaningful consultations with those who were being directly impacted by such a disast...

Gauri Khan, wife of Shah Rukh Khan, has received a notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged embezzlement of Rs 30 crore by the real estate company, Tulsiani Group. Gauri Khan, an interior designer and brand ambassador for the company, is being investigated for her financial dealings with the firm. She has not yet responded to the notices. Gauri Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were recently seen attending their son AbRam's school function. from Times of India https://ift.tt/qOjUHVm

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a "variant of interest", but said it did not pose much threat to public health. "Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low," WHO said. JN.1 was previously classified as a variant of interest as a part of its parent lineage BA.2.86. The United Nations agency said current vaccines continue to protect against severe disease and death from JN.1 and other circulating variants of the COVID-19 virus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this month said that the subvariant JN.1 makes up about an estimated 15% to 29% of cases in the United States as of Dec. 8, according to the agency's latest projections. It added that currently there is no evidence that JN.1 presents an increased risk to public health relative to other currently circulating variants and an updated shot could k...

US-based audio equipment maker Bose has acquired a minority stake in Indian wearables startup Noise as part of Noise's Series A round. Noise, which holds the second position in the overall wearables segment, aims to raise more funds. The investment figure and the quantum of stake acquired by Bose remain undisclosed. Nicholas Smith, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Bose, expressed excitement about collaborating with Noise and bringing new products to the growing market. from Times of India https://ift.tt/X06ow7d

Several gas cylinders were tossed in the air after a speeding car hit an LPG cyliner supplier's cart in Delhi, a shocking CCTV footage of the incident showed. The man behind the wheel, a minor, allegedly hit a 6-year-old girl before ramming the cylinder cart. The impact of the collision stopped the car after which locals caught the driver and informed the police. The accident happened in in northwest Delhi's Shalimar Bagh area on Monday, police said. The speeding car while passing by a school first hit the girl from the side. The car then took a right turn and hit the cylinder-laden cart from behind. The injured cylinder supplier Ram Kumar was shifted to Jahangirpuri's BJRM Hospital. The girl was under treatment at Shalimar Bagh's Jhamb Multi Specility Hospital. Both the injured have been discharged now. During investigation, the age of the driver was found to be 17 years. He lives in Singhalpur village and works in a private company, the police said. The police ha...

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood , who has been tipped to create ripples in auction room, will be available for IPL 2024 only from the first week of May, as per the BCCI intimation to the teams. Hazlewood, who played an integral role in Australia's recent ODI World Cup win, will be away in March and April as the pacer and his wife are expecting their first child. Hazlewood, who was released by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been bracketed in the top-of-the-line Rs 2 crore base price category in the player auction to be held in Dubai on Tuesday. However, a report in ESPNCricinfo said that all the other Aussies players including World Cup hero Travis Head will be available for the entire duration of the IPL. Experienced Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman will only be available for the period between March 22 and May 11. However, fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam will be unavailable for next year's IPL as they are expected to feature in Bangladesh ...

Actor Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal's continues to dominate the box office collections and some scenes and songs from the movie have become fan favourites. One such song is Bobby Deol's entry song "Jamal Kudu" which has become a hit on social media. The song features Bobby Deol dancing with a glass of alcohol on his head. Several people on the internet are trying the famous step and grooving to the peppy song. Amid this, a woman who featured in the song has become a sensation overnight. Iranian model and dancer Tannaz Davoodi was one of the guests at the wedding, as shown in the movie. She was a part of the choir singing the song.  Tannaz Davoodi was born in Tehran, Iran. She is also known as Tanni and is a dancer and a model who works in India.  She began her career as a background dancer in the entertainment industry and has since collaborated with celebrities such as Varun Dhawan, John Abraham, Nora Fatehi, Sunny Leone, Karan Singh Grover, Sooraj Pancholi, Pulkit S...