Challenging Day Ahead for New Zealand as India Eyes Fightback
BENGALURU: As New Zealand chases a target of 107 to secure a Test victory against India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, pacer William O’Rourke remains cautious. Despite the modest target, he emphasized the challenge ahead, acknowledging India’s strong bowling attack and the unpredictable pitch conditions.
After India was bowled out for 462, with O’Rourke and Matt Henry claiming six wickets each, O’Rourke noted, “It won’t be an easy win. India has the quality to make this chase difficult.”
On Day 4, play was halted early due to rain, leaving New Zealand’s openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway at 0/0. However, the forecast for Day 5 looks favorable, ensuring New Zealand a full day to reach their target. Despite this, India’s record of defending small totals, including a historic 107-run defense against Australia in 2004, keeps their hopes alive.
With the SubAir system at the stadium ensuring quick drainage, the final day promises intense action. O’Rourke concluded, “We must stay focused and confident, knowing India will fight till the last ball.”
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion as both teams vie for dominance in this thrilling Test match. (Input from Agencies)
Election Commission Removes Jharkhand’s Acting DGP Amid Allegations
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate removal of Anurag Gupta, the acting Director General of Police (DGP) of Jharkhand. The directive, issued on October 19, 2024, mandates that Gupta step down and the state government appoint a senior DGP-level officer by 7 PM the same day. Ajay Kumar Singh, a former DGP, is expected to assume the position as the state prepares for upcoming elections.
The removal comes after a series of complaints against Gupta, some dating back to previous elections. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gupta faced allegations of bias, leading to his temporary transfer to Delhi. This history influenced the ECI’s decision, as they aim to ensure neutrality in the upcoming two-phase assembly elections scheduled for November 13 and 20. The Commission stressed the importance of adhering to the Supreme Court’s 2018 guidelines, which prohibit ad hoc appointments for the DGP post.
The state government is required to submit a list of eligible IPS officers by Monday morning for review. This measure highlights the ECI’s commitment to maintaining transparency and impartiality in Jharkhand’s electoral process.
All Sporting Events, Including IPL, to Stream Exclusively on Hotstar Post Disney-Reliance Merger
After the much-anticipated Disney-Reliance merger, all major sporting events, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), will now be streamed exclusively on the Hotstar app. This integration reflects a strategic move following the $8.5 billion merger of Disney and Reliance’s media assets earlier this year. While Reliance’s JioCinema platform had previously secured IPL rights, the shift to Hotstar signals a unified streaming approach.
Hotstar’s robust technology, especially for handling live content, played a significant role in this decision. Sources close to the matter indicate that Hotstar’s backend infrastructure, particularly for serving targeted ads and managing concurrent viewership, made it the preferred platform. With record-breaking viewership during past cricket events, the platform has proven its capability in live streaming sports in India, where millions of users tune in simultaneously.
Mukesh Ambani, chairperson of Reliance, reportedly plans to strengthen Hotstar under the merged entity, with the potential for future rebranding. The merger, which was cleared by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in August, aims to create India’s largest entertainment platform, combining over 120 TV channels and two major streaming services.
While the fate of other entertainment content remains unclear, the focus for now is on streamlining sports content. As the merger progresses, industry insiders predict Hotstar will become the dominant player in India’s highly competitive OTT market.
Byju’s Fall from $22 Billion to Zero: A Story of Rapid Expansion and Investor Fallout
Byju Raveendran, the founder of India’s edtech giant Byju’s, recently made a stunning revelation about the company’s financial state. Once valued at a staggering $22 billion, Byju’s now stands at “zero,” according to Raveendran. The rapid expansion into multiple markets and aggressive acquisitions of over 24 startups left the company struggling to manage its finances. Investors like Prosus Ventures, Peak XV Partners, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative withdrew from the board, leaving Byju’s in dire straits.
Raveendran shared his thoughts during a candid discussion with media, lamenting how the company, which had ambitious plans to go public, found itself in deep financial crisis. He attributed much of the decline to unforeseen global events such as the Ukraine conflict, which disrupted international markets and forced a halt in funding. Additionally, key investors distanced themselves from the board, making it difficult to secure new financial backing.
The crisis has resulted in thousands of layoffs, with employees going unpaid for months. In an attempt to stabilize the company, Raveendran mortgaged his own home to pay salaries. The company is now facing insolvency proceedings following a complaint by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which claimed Byju’s defaulted on a $19 million sponsorship payment.
Despite these setbacks, Raveendran remains hopeful about Byju’s future. He acknowledged that mistakes were made, especially during the pandemic-driven boom when online education demand skyrocketed. However, he envisions a potential comeback once the company addresses its governance and financial challenges.
5-Year-Old Girl Sexually Assaulted in UP’s Ballia; Police Detain Three Minors
Uttar Pradesh: A disturbing incident occurred in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, where a five-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by three boys aged six, 13, and 16. The incident took place on October 16 at the victim’s home, where the boys were tenants. Upon learning of the attack, the girl’s mother filed a police complaint, and all three minors were swiftly detained under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and POCSO Act.
Superintendent of Police Vikrant Vir and a forensic team investigated the scene. This incident follows another similar case reported in the same region last month, raising concerns over child safety. The police are conducting thorough inquiries, and the case has prompted outrage among locals.
SP Vikrant Vir stated, “We are treating this case with utmost seriousness, and appropriate legal action is being taken against the minors involved.”
GST Council Recommends Tax Cuts on Essential Goods, Raises Rates on Luxury Items
NEW DELHI: The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalization, chaired by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, has recommended significant adjustments in GST rates to balance affordability and revenue generation. In its latest meeting, the GoM suggested reducing the GST on 20-litre packaged drinking water bottles and bicycles costing less than Rs.10,000 from 12% to 5%. This move aims to make essential goods more accessible to the public.
Alongside these reductions, the GoM proposed raising GST rates on luxury items, such as high-end wristwatches and footwear priced above Rs.5,000, from 18% to 28%. This adjustment aligns with the government’s strategy of taxing luxury and sin goods at higher rates while keeping essential products more affordable for the average consumer.
Additionally, the GoM is exploring further tax cuts in the healthcare sector. A recent decision by the GST Council reduced taxes on life-saving cancer drugs from 12% to 5%, demonstrating a commitment to making healthcare more accessible. The Council also initiated discussions on extending lower GST rates to health and life insurance services, with final recommendations expected in the upcoming October 20 meeting.
If approved, these changes could generate an estimated revenue gain of Rs.22,000 crore for the government, helping to maintain fiscal balance while providing relief to consumers and businesses. The Council’s ongoing focus on GST simplification and rationalization aims to create a more transparent and efficient tax regime that supports economic growth.(Input from Agencies)
Tom Hardy Hopes for Spider-Man Showdown as ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ Approaches Release
At the recent Comic-Con event, Tom Hardy expressed his enthusiasm for a potential showdown with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man while promoting Venom: The Last Dance, the concluding film in his trilogy. Hardy revealed, “I would love to fight Spider-Man. I’m happy to fight Spider-Man today, 100 percent. I would never say never.”
This film, set to release on October 25, 2024, marks Hardy’s final appearance as Eddie Brock, the human half of the iconic Symbiote. While fans have longed for a confrontation between Venom and Spider-Man, this has yet to materialize on screen.
As excitement builds, there are hints of future symbiote-focused narratives. The film’s trailer teases the introduction of Knull, the malevolent creator of the symbiotes, depicted as sitting on a black throne with striking features reminiscent of his comic book portrayal. Kelly Marcel, the film’s co-writer, stated, “This is just the introduction to Knull. He’s a massive, massive character, so you can never be one-and-done with him.”
Despite the closing chapter for Eddie and Venom, Marcel hinted at the potential for more stories involving symbiotes: “There are lots of places to go, and maybe there are a few Easter eggs in here that might start that journey off.”
As the release date approaches, the prospect of Hardy facing off against Holland’s Spider-Man remains a tantalizing possibility for fans, igniting discussions about the future of the Venom franchise within the expansive Marvel Universe.
Mahayuti Secures Seat-Sharing Formula for Maharashtra Polls Amid Tensions
New Delhi: The Mahayuti alliance’s meeting in New Delhi marked a critical moment for Maharashtra’s upcoming elections. In this high-stakes discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the alliance partners—BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar’s NCP—hashed out a seat-sharing agreement.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde strongly pushed for his party’s larger share, citing its solid performance in the Lok Sabha polls despite contesting fewer seats than BJP. He demanded over 100 seats, though BJP settled on offering 70-80. Shinde also argued for merit-based allocation, urging the alliance to avoid past mistakes, where a survey had cost Shiv Sena some seats. The BJP, however, will contest the majority with around 151 seats.
Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, with 40 sitting MLAs, sought 55-60 seats, asserting its growing influence, particularly in areas where it has expanded its base. The NCP emphasized that a poor seat allocation would risk defections to Sharad Pawar’s rival faction. Pawar expressed concerns over the impact a limited number of seats would have on his cadre’s morale, warning that it might weaken the alliance.
Both Shinde and Pawar stressed the need to finalize this agreement swiftly to avoid delays in candidate selection. With Maharashtra polls approaching in November, this seat-sharing pact solidifies the alliance’s election strategy, though internal dissatisfaction persists.