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Wednesday, July 31, 2024

"Embarrassing": Macron's Embrace With French Sports Minister Causes A Stir

Photos of French President Emmanuel Macron tightly embracing his Sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera during the opening ceremony of Paris Olympics has gone viral on social media. Ms Oudea-Castera, 46, is also seen planting a kiss close to Mr Macron's neck, also 46 years old, reported The Telegraph. Gabriel Attal, France's Prime Minister, can be seen looking the other way as Ms Oudea-Castera embraced the French president. The photos have caused a stir in France, with users comparing the affectionate display to a lover's embrace.

"Gabriel Attal, he pretends to look elsewhere! He doesn't know where to stand," commented one user.

"It's my lover that I'm kissing like this. Embarrassing," said another.

"I find this photo indecent, it's not worthy of a president and a minister," a third user commented on X.

The photo became a major talking point on social media after French magazine Madame Figaro carried it first. It called the kiss "strange" and claimed Ms Oudea-Castera likes to draw attention to herself.

The Paris Olympics opened in a spectacular and unprecedented ceremony on the river Seine on Friday. The parade saw 7,500 competitors travel down a six-kilometre stretch of the Seine on a flotilla of 85 boats.

The opening ceremony also marked a boost for Mr Macron after two turbulent months that saw him call snap parliamentary election over the prospect of the far-right winning and forming a new government.

It lasted a marathon four hours, reaching a crescendo with a spectacular climax as the Olympic flame soared into the sky aboard a cauldron tethered to a balloon and Celine Dion serenaded Paris with an Edith Piaf song from the Eiffel Tower.



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HMD's Barbie Flip Phone Confirmed to Launch on August 28

HMD is all set to launch a Barbie-branded phone in August. The Finnish brand, via X, has confirmed the arrival of the new handset. The HMD Barbie is a flip phone and it will flaunt the iconic pink colour scheme. The S30+ or KaiOS could fuel the HMD Barbie flip phone. HMD announced plans to release a Barbie-themed phone in partnership with toy maker Mattel at the Mobil...

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Boil Fast, Save Faster: Enjoy Up To 55% Off On Electric Kettles From Amazon

In today's fast-paced world, kitchen efficiency is paramount. Amazon's latest deals bring a golden opportunity to enhance your kitchen with top-tier electric kettles at unbeatable prices. With generous discounts of up to 55% on a wide range of models, there's never been a better time to invest in these essential appliances. Whether you need a quick cup of tea, boiling water for your recipes, or simply want to modernise your kitchen setup, these electric kettles promise speed, convenience, and reliability. Dive into the details of this fantastic range of kettles and explore some of the best options available:

Top 14 Amazon Deals On Electric Kettles At Up To 55% Off

1. Wipro Vesta 1.8 Litre Cool Touch Electric Kettle

Discount: 39% | Price: ₹1,219 | M.R.P.: ₹1,999 | Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
This black, 1.8-litre electric kettle from Wipro boasts a cool-touch function enabled by double-layer protection. It's perfect for boiling water quickly for tea, coffee, or instant noodles. The stainless-steel inner body ensures no plastic contamination, making it safe for everyday use.

Key Features:

  • Double Wall with Cool Touch Function
  • Auto Shut Off with Triple Protection: Steam Sensor, Dry Boil, Overheat
  • Boils Water for 5-6 People in Minutes
  • Food Grade Stainless Steel
  • 2-Year Warranty

2. Wipro Elato 1.8 Litre Glass LED Electric Kettle

Discount: 38% | Price: ₹1,749 | M.R.P.: ₹2,799 | Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
This elegant glass body kettle from Wipro, equipped with stylish blue LED illumination, not only looks good but also performs excellently. The keep-warm function ensures your beverage stays hot for as long as you need.

Key Features:

  • Dual Mode: Boil Mode and Keep Warm Mode
  • Triple Protection: Steam, Dry Boil, Overheat
  • Stylish Blue LED Illumination
  • Food Grade Stainless Steel
  • Easy to Use with 360° Pirouette Base

3. Pigeon By Stovekraft Amaze Plus Electric Kettle

Discount: 54% | Price: ₹549 | M.R.P.: ₹1,195 | Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars
The Pigeon Amaze Plus kettle, with its classic mirror-polished stainless-steel body, is perfect for a variety of uses from boiling water to making tea, coffee, and instant noodles. Its compact design is ideal for any kitchen.

Key Features:

  • Classical Mirror Polish Finish
  • Cordless Pouring with 360° Swivel Base
  • Quick Boil in 5-7 Minutes
  • Concealed Heating Elements
  • Easy to Clean

4. Prestige 1.5 Litres Electric Kettle (PKOSS 1.5)

Discount: 52% | Price: ₹699 | M.R.P.: ₹1,445 | Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars
Prestige's 1.5-litre electric kettle features an automatic cut-off, a rotatable base, and a sleek stainless-steel design. It's a reliable choice for anyone looking to quickly boil water for various kitchen needs.

Key Features:

  • Automatic Cut-Off
  • 360° Swivel Base
  • Single-Touch Lid Locking
  • Power Indicator Light
  • Easy to Clean Interior

5. Pigeon Kessel Multi-Purpose Kettle

Discount: 47% | Price: ₹899 | M.R.P.: ₹1,695 | Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars
This versatile 1.2-litre kettle from Pigeon can handle more than just boiling water. It's perfect for boiling milk, making tea, coffee, oats, noodles, and soup, making it a multipurpose tool in the kitchen.

Key Features:

  • Sturdy and Rust-Proof
  • Temperature Control
  • Shock Proof and Heat Insulated Handle
  • Automatic Power Cut Off
  • 360° Swivel Base

6. Butterfly EKN 1.5-Litre Electric Kettle

Discount: 42% | Price: ₹649 | M.R.P.: ₹1,111 | Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
Butterfly's EKN kettle is a lightweight, stainless-steel appliance with a spout filter, making it ideal for a variety of hot beverages. Its auto cut-off and dry boil protection ensure safety during use.

Key Features:

  • Auto Cut Off and Dry Boil Protection
  • 360° Swivel Base
  • Convenient Grip
  • 1.5 Litres Capacity
  • 1500 Watts Power

7. Prestige Stainless Steel 1.5 Litre Kettle 1500-Watts, Red

Discount: 48% | Price: ₹649 | M.R.P.: ₹1,245 | Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars
This robust kettle from Prestige combines functionality with style. Its stainless steel body ensures durability, while the 1500-watt power guarantees rapid boiling. The automatic cutoff feature adds a layer of safety, preventing overheating. The kettle's 360-degree swivel base offers easy handling and storage, making it a perfect addition to any kitchen.

Key Features:

  • Automatic cutoff
  • 360-degree swivel base
  • Single-touch lid locking
  • Lockable lid
  • 1-year warranty

8. Milton Euroline Go Electro 2.0 Stainless Steel Electric Kettle, 2 Litres, Silver

Discount: 50% | Price: ₹799 | M.R.P.: ₹1,599 | Rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars
Milton's Euroline Go Electro kettle is designed for those who need a larger capacity. With a 2-litre capacity, it's ideal for larger families or office kitchens. The stainless steel body ensures long-lasting use, while the auto cut-off and temperature control features make it user-friendly and safe. The detachable 360-degree connector adds convenience, making it easy to use and clean.

Key Features:

  • Temperature control
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Detachable 360-degree connector
  • 2-litre capacity
  • 1-year warranty

9. Prestige 1.7 Litres Electric Kettle (PKGSS 1.7), 1500W, Silver And Black

Discount: 48% | Price: ₹799 | M.R.P.: ₹1,545 | Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars
The Prestige 1.7 litres electric kettle is perfect for those who appreciate a sleek design and high performance. With a power rating of 1500 watts, it ensures quick boiling, and its wide mouth design makes cleaning effortless. The automatic cutoff feature prevents accidents, while the single-touch lid locking system offers ease of use.

Key Features:

  • Wide mouth for easy cleaning
  • Single-touch lid locking
  • 360-degree swivel power base
  • 1.7-litre capacity
  • 1-year warranty

10. Pigeon By Stovekraft Crystal Glass Electric Kettle, 1.8 litre With LED Illumination

Discount: 43% | Price: ₹999 | M.R.P.: ₹1,750 | Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
This Pigeon kettle stands out with its elegant crystal glass body and blue LED illumination. It's not just a kettle; it's a visual treat. The 1.8-litre capacity is perfect for a family, and the 1500-watt power ensures fast boiling. The stainless steel cap inside ensures that your water does not come into contact with any plastic, ensuring purity.

Key Features:

  • LED illumination
  • Heat-resistant handle
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Stainless steel cap
  • 1-year warranty

11. Havells Capture 1.2 Ltr Multi Cook Kettle With Steamer Basket

Discount: 37% | Price: ₹1,749 | M.R.P.: ₹2,795 | Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars
The Havells Capture kettle is more than just a kettle; it's a multi-cooker. It comes with a steamer basket, making it versatile for various cooking needs. The 1.2-litre capacity is suitable for small families or individuals. Its rust-resistant stainless steel body ensures longevity, and the cool touch outer body prevents accidental burns.

Key Features:

  • Steamer basket included
  • Rust-resistant body
  • Cool touch outer body
  • Wider mouth for easy cleaning
  • 2-year warranty

12. Cello Quick Boil 900 Electric Kettle, Stainless Steel Body, 1 Ltr

Discount: 39% | Price: ₹1,158 | M.R.P.: ₹1,899 | Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Cello's Quick Boil 900 kettle is compact yet powerful. With a 1200-watt power rating, it ensures quick boiling. Its sleek black and silver design adds a modern touch to your kitchen. The auto shut-off protection feature ensures safety by preventing overheating. The wide-mouth design makes it easy to clean, and the easy-grip handle ensures comfortable pouring.

Key Features:

  • Auto shut-off protection
  • Wide-mouth design
  • Easy-grip handle
  • 1-litre capacity
  • 1-year warranty

13. Prestige PKDSS 0.7 Electric Kettle 700ml

Discount: 25% | Price: ₹1,350 | M.R.P.: ₹1,795 | Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars
This compact kettle from Prestige is perfect for individuals or couples. With a 700ml capacity, it's ideal for quick boiling needs. The automatic shut-off feature ensures safety, and the cool touch handle and lid make it easy to use. Its elegant design fits well in any kitchen.

Key Features:

  • Compact size
  • Automatic shut-off
  • Cool touch handle and lid
  • 700ml capacity
  • 1-year warranty

14. Wonderchef Cool Touch Electric Kettle, 1.8L Capacity, Black

Discount: 30% | Price: ₹1,399 | M.R.P.: ₹2,000 | Rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars
Wonderchef's Cool Touch kettle offers a combination of style and safety. The double-walled body keeps the outer surface cool, preventing burns. Its 1.8-litre capacity is perfect for families, and the 1500-watt power ensures quick boiling. The internal water level indicator and auto shut-off function add convenience and safety.

Key Features:

  • Double-walled body
  • Auto shut-off function
  • Wide mouth for easy cleaning
  • Internal water level indicator
  • 1-year warranty

As the deals continue on Amazon, now is the perfect time to upgrade your kitchen with a high-quality electric kettle. These discounted models offer a blend of efficiency, safety, and modern design, making them a valuable addition to any household. Whether you're a busy professional, a student, or someone who enjoys a hot beverage throughout the day, an electric kettle can significantly enhance your daily routine, not to mention the amount of time you save watching the water roll to a boil. Shop now on Amazon.



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Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Tissot T-Touch Connect Sport Review: Touch and Go

Tissot’s T-Touch Connect Sport has a very long moniker for a hybrid wearable that mostly functions as a notifier. However, it does pack in some basic smartwatch features but presents it in its own unique way. This means that it’s a niche product aimed at a very niche audience, which makes more sense once you check its price tag.

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Poco M6 Plus 5G, Poco Buds X1 Retail Boxes Leak Online; Key Specifications Tipped

Poco M6 Plus 5G and Poco Buds X1 are scheduled to launch in India on August 1. The company has teased the design and key features of both the smartphone and the true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones. Alleged retail boxes of the devices have now leaked online suggesting the design of the phone as well as the TWS earphones including their charging case.

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Monday, July 29, 2024

Opinion: The 12-Letter Word Giving The Government Sleepless Nights

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

The BJP floundered in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The floundering continued on the floor of both Houses where Members of Parliament from the INDIA parties delivered multiple speeches that were well-structured, well-executed, and rich in content. A recurring theme in many of these powerful interventions on the Budget was a 12-letter word giving Modi and his coalition sleepless Delhi nights: unemployment.

Article 41 of the Constitution states, "The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want."

Employment And Food Insecurity

Many MPs in the Opposition quoted CMIE data about the employment rate - which is the 'proportion of employed persons in the working age population' - recorded at 37% in June 2024. The Global Hunger Index 2023 was often referred to last week in Parliament - India ranked 111th out of 125 countries. Despite improvements in food production and distribution, food insecurity persists, particularly in marginalised communities. 

Impact On Personal Freedoms

A citizen cannot truly enjoy any liberty when perpetually anxious about her family's unmet needs. This becomes even more important when the Budget skirts around the issues of health, nutrition, social security, and education. It is difficult to think about personal liberties on an empty stomach. 

MGNREGA

MGNREGA addresses the issue of Right to Work. However, it ensures it as a statutory right, instead of being a Fundamental Right. The latter cannot be taken away by an amendment of the MGNREGA Act. It bears repetition that states have been constantly deprived of MGNREGA funds. The Union owes the West Bengal government alone Rs 7,000 Crores for the scheme. 

In a labour-surplus society, why then is the Union government often selling the family silver to private entities? Two dozen large Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have been privatised. This is not the solution. Should it not be the duty of the state to offer the labour force multiple opportunities for employment? There are 30 lakh vacancies in the Union government and government-controlled organisations. What is the road map and timelines for these vacancies to be filled? Parliament is in session. The government must provide answers. 

Education And Skill Development

The Union has an obligation to provide quality education and skill development to improve employability, and guarantee livelihood. But Budget 2024 has allocated only Rs 1.20 lakh crore to education, which is a 2% decline from Actuals (Rs 1.23 lakh crores) in 2023-24. 

Right To Livelihood As A Fundamental Right 

Through judicial interpretation, the Right to Livelihood has been read into the Right to Life, even though it is not explicitly listed among the Fundamental Rights in Part III of the Constitution. The Supreme Court emphasised, "An equally important facet of the right to life is the right to livelihood because no person can live without the means of living, that is, the means of livelihood. If the right to livelihood is not treated as a part of the constitutional right to life, the easiest way of depriving a person of his right to life would be to deprive him of his means of livelihood to the point of abrogation. Such deprivation would not only strip life of its effective content and meaningfulness but also make life impossible to live."

The Right to Work, outlined in the directive principles, has been interpreted alongside the Rights to Livelihood and Life, evolving into a Fundamental Right through judicial pronouncements. Integrating the Right to Work into Fundamental Rights, and ensuring that policies are designed to create sustainable job opportunities, is paramount to ensuring employment. Even after a tepid performance in the elections, where they were punished by young people, this government refuses to prioritise investment in education and vocational training. 

Only talk about cooperative federalism will not do. States politically opposed to the ruling dispensation are deprived on flimsy grounds for years of their MGNREGA funds. These are funds due to people who have completed their work, and have still not been paid.

Additionally, fostering a more inclusive job market by supporting small businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship can play a critical role in generating employment. By taking these steps, India can better align its economic policies with its constitutional commitments and provide more meaningful support to its citizens.

The Right to Work still requires the state to take responsibility, and appropriate legislative actions, to fully provide citizens with the Right to Life, Livelihood, and Dignity.

Research Credit: Chahat Mangtani

(Derek O'Brien, MP, leads the Trinamool Congress in the Rajya Sabha)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author



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Microsoft Rolls Out Android Smartphone Visibility in Windows 11 File Explorer for Wireless Browsing

Microsoft is rolling out a new feature for the Windows 11 File Explorer through its Insider Channels, the company announced on July 25. With its introduction, users will now be able to see their Android smartphones in the File Explorer when it is connected wirelessly via the Link to Windows app.

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Sunday, July 28, 2024

Donald Trump Calls Joe Biden's Shock US Poll Exit A "Coup By Democrats"

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said incumbent US President Joe Biden was forced to exit the presidential race, describing it a "coup" by the Democratic Party.

The former president's remarks came during an election rally in Minnesota on Saturday.

"This was really a coup of and by the Democrats. This was a coup of a man that had 14 million votes. He wanted to run. They wouldn't let him run. They treated him horribly. They said to him, we can do it the nice way, or we can do it the hard way. To Joe, he's president," Trump claimed.

This was a coup with the presidency, he said.

"They threatened him with the 25th Amendment. They said, Joe, we're going to threaten you with the 25th Amendment. You're cognitively and physically a mess. And if you don't get out, we're going to take you out with the 25th Amendment," Trump, 78, alleged.

The 25th Amendment of the US Constitution was passed by Congress to determine the presidential succession after the assassination of former President John F Kennedy.

It also gives power to the vice president as well as the Cabinet to remove a president from office if they are deemed physically incapable.

"And he said, I'll go. And then the fake news said, oh, he was so brave. He was so brave. No, he was forced to leave," Trump claimed.

Biden, 81, on July 20 announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential elections and endorsed Kamala Harris as Democratic Presidential nominee.

This followed a series of fast-moving developments after his disastrous debate performance in Atlanta on June 27 and a failed assassination attempt on Trump. Both the developments resulted in a sharp drop in the popularity rating of Biden, which made the Democrats worried and they started feeling a Trump wave sweeping the nation.

After Biden's exit and his Vice President Harris taking over, the Democrats have regained the momentum and are giving a tough fight to Trump.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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Deaths In Flooded Coaching Basement: What We Know So Far

The death of three students in the flooded basement of a coaching centre in West Delhi has sparked protests by civil service aspirants. Their bodies were recovered by rescuers late in the evening. The three victims, who have been identified as Tania Soni, 25, Shreya Yadav, 25, and Navin Delvin, 28, were preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.

Here's what we know so far:

The Tragedy 

The deaths occurred in the basement of Rau's IAS Study Circle in old Rajinder Nagar. The basement has a library with a capacity of 150, and at least 20 children were there at the time of the incident.

The basement was flooded after heavy rain on Saturday evening. The wall of a drain in the basement exploded and floodwater started filling the basement faster. The students started evacuating through the only exit that was in the library. While most of them could be rescued, the three victims got stuck.

There are reports that access to the basement was regulated by biometric authentication, which stopped working due to a power cut and trapped the students. 

Spot visuals showed last evening the basement completely flooded.

Rescuers recovered the bodies of two students - both women - in the evening. The body of another student - a man - was found later into the night.

The victims have been identified and their bodies sent to the hospital for further legal action. While Shreya belonged from Uttar Pradesh, Tania was from Telangana, and Navin was from Ernakulam, Kerala, said the police. The police also requested the students not to gather at the spot since it may hamper the rescue operations.

The Protest

The deaths have sparked a massive protest by students who allege negligence by civic authorities led to the deaths. Paramilitary forces have been called in to keep the situation under control.

"If this is the situation after 30 minutes of rain, who is responsible? No one has come to talk to us or given us any assurance. Who will fix responsibility?" said a protester.

Some other students have alleged that the MCD and the institute's director were the "main culprits".

A criminal case has been filed by the cops and two people have been detained for questioning. Forensic teams have also inspected the basement where the deaths occurred.

The Blame Game

The BJP has hit out at the AAP government over the deaths and said the tragedy could have been avoided.

Bansuri Swaraj, BJP MP from the New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, said BJP workers had repeatedly asked local MLA Durgesh Pathak to ensure that the sewers in this area are cleaned and de-silted.

"If that had been done, this tragedy would not have happened...the AAP government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and MLA Durgesh Pathak are responsible for the tragedy and the death," she said.

Responding to the charges, Mr Pathak said the BJP's councillors were in power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for 15 years but did not get drains constructed. "This is not the time for politics. The focus now is on saving the students," the MLA said.



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Saturday, July 27, 2024

'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Takes Credit For French Rail Network Collapse

A few days ago, a tweet claiming responsibility for a global Microsoft outage triggered a meme fest on X. Today, the same man has returned with another viral post, this time taking credit for the chaos that ensued after three arson attacks on France's high-speed rail network. These incidents have paralysed train travel nationwide, just as Paris geared up to host the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics yesterday.

A Microsoft error had crippled Windows computers worldwide on July 19. It was later revealed that an update to the anti-virus program 'Falcon Sensor' by CrowdStrike caused the massive outage. Enter Vincent Flibustier, an X user posing as a CrowdStrike employee. Vincent broke the internet with an AI-generated photo of himself outside the CrowdStrike office, captioned, "First day at Crowdstrike, pushed a little update and taking the afternoon off." 

Last night, three separate arson attacks targeting France's high-speed rail network affected train travel nationwide. The attacks' timing and perpetrators remain unclear, but their impact was immediate and devastating.

Mr Flibustier, following a similar routine, swiftly uploaded an AI-generated image of himself standing in front of a poster of Societe Nationale Des Chemins De Fer Francais - France's state-owned railway network. The tweet has once again gone viral with Mr Flibustier's mission accomplished. 

What Happened In France

Approximately 8 lakh passengers are expected to be affected over the weekend, with a quarter of a million already impacted on Friday alone, according to SNCF. The rail network was anticipated to be particularly busy this weekend, not only because of the Olympics but also as people return from or leave for their summer holidays.

There were delays of 90 minutes to two hours on services between Paris and France's north and east. One major branch of the network, the line to France's southeast, was spared after rail maintenance workers surprised unauthorized individuals on site.

High-speed rail operator Eurostar announced that around one in four services across its network linking France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany would be cancelled, including trains from Paris to London. Others would operate slower on regular lines not designed for high-speed trains.



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"Cat Lady, Brat": Media Attacks On Kamala Harris Follow A Bleak Pattern

Kamala Harris is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. And while she will not be the Democrat's first woman nominee, nor the first person of colour, she faces the compounding challenge of being both.

She will be subject to a highly combative and partisan media landscape, against an opponent who pushes political rhetoric to the extreme.

The crucial question remains whether the media can fairly assess her qualifications for office. The answer could profoundly impact women's political participation - not only in the United States but globally.

Sexist, racist, transphobic: Past media treatment of Harris

The media coverage of Harris to date reflects the US' s deeply partisan landscape, with Democrat and Republican voters consuming and trusting in two nearly inverse news media landscapes.

While mainstream media begins to reckon with Harris as the presumptive nominee (The New York Post referred to Harris as the first 'DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] President', so we're off to a predictable start), previous scrutiny , particularly during her past campaigns, highlights persistent themes of sexism, racism, and conspiracy theories.

These media onslaughts echo attacks faced by other women leaders globally.

In the 2020 US election, analysis of online discourse of women politicians (78 percent of which was directed at Harris) found that women faced three familiar narratives.

First, sexualised narratives (that Harris "slept her way to the top"). Second, transphobic narratives (insinuating that Harris was secretly a man). And, third, racist or racialised narratives (whether Harris was suitably Black or Indian enough, or even whether there was legitimacy to her citizenship and therefore eligibility for the Presidency).

It's important to note that while online commentary is not media reporting, the distance between the two has blurred in recent years.

As the line between "reporter" and "influencer" becomes less distinguishable, high-profile Republican commenters continue to post unfounded aspersions, such as Harris "isn't black...[but] part of the delusional, Democrat DEI quota".

Typically, these narratives then seep, largely unquestioned , into a range of traditional news and social media channels such as X, Donald Trump's Truth Social, Facebook, and political segments of conservative news programs.

In this environment, misinformation and disinformation thrive.

Americans are simultaneously more likely to turn to social media for their news and are less critical of these sources, creating an environment where the veracity of gendered and racialised statements regarding Harris is less important than their virality.

Media's history of misogyny

Women leaders worldwide, such as former prime ministers Julia Gillard in Australia, the UK's Theresa May (and oh-so-briefly, Liz Truss), New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern and Sanna Marin in Finland, have all endured misogynistic media portrayals.

Many may recall Gillard's opponent posing with "Ditch the Witch" placards, watched video compilations of Ardern responding to misogynistic questions, or the international furor Marin faced after, in Fox News' words , "going viral for [a] raunchy dance video...".

America's last (and first) major party woman presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, faced a similar media environment that took misogynistic cues from her political opponent.

Even with the protections offered to her in her position of privilege and power, the media was seemingly only too happy to respond to Trump's calls to "lock her up" with a series of investigative reports into the Clinton Foundation, her tenure as Secretary of State, and her character.

As a Black and South Asian woman, Harris may face more harassment than Clinton, Gillard, Ardern or Marin, all of whom are white in white-majority countries.

The term misogynoir, coined by gay black feminist Moya Bailey, aptly describes a "particular brand of hatred directed at Black women in American visual and popular culture".

In the past, Harris' opponents have already referred to her as "aggressive", "angry" and "mean", and suggested she's a DEI nominee successful for the novelty of those identities rather than her qualifications.

Recent media reporting of Harris therefore continues this rich tradition i n an environment where a second Trump administration poses a grave threat to American democracy.

The consequences of bias

Biased media reporting contributes to real-world consequences, deterring women and marginalised people from entering politics due to fears of online harassment and myriad biases.

A report from the Global Institute for Women's Leadership and Women For Election in Australia found that 66 percent of women polled considered online harassment a barrier to running for office. Another 46 percent said bias against candidates from a marginalised background was an additional deterrent.

Young politically engaged people also see workplace safety - meaning spaces free of violence, misogyny, and other forms of discrimination - as crucial to their engagement in a political career.
Long before the attempted assassination of Trump, the personal safety of political candidates has been a key concern.

The perception of politics as hostile and unsafe (also known as "toxic parliaments" in a new book launched by ANU's Global Institute for Women's Leadership last week) further erodes trust in political institutions and discourages young people from pursuing political careers.

Young women and other minority groups do not have the Secret Service protecting them when they run for local office, but those politics remain as vitriolic - and are far more accessible - than the Oval Office.

The conditions in which Harris obtained the nomination also matters.
With an ageing President polling much lower than his opponent, a turbulent domestic economy, and the highly criticised support of Israel's war on the Palestinians, Biden's passing of the baton to Harris recalls the "glass cliff" phenomenon whereby women are promoted to leadership at "particularly precarious times" - for instance in periods of crisis, or where the chance of failure is high.
These conditions matter, as they will become inextricably tied to the story of Harris' run for president and embedded into any number of explanations or justifications as to why her campaign succeeded or failed.

Progress, or just holding the line for women?

If Harris loses in November, Trump's administration is slated to implement and accelerate policies that undermine the rights of women and minorities on issues including abortion, immigration, education and voting rights.

The success of this agenda will have far-reaching consequences for the US and its allies, not to mention galvanising illiberal governments world-wide which are implementing populist, anti-rights agendas.
Yet, even if Trump fails and Harris becomes the next US President, it is clear that the gendered, racialised mess of media reporting is not a blip, but a characteristic of our media landscape.

Both media conglomerates and everyday keyboard warriors have an effect on gendered and racialised bias among voters. Reporters, at least, should be held to minimum standards to do better.

Beyond reporting, the events of the last few years have revealed the vulnerabilities of the American democratic system.

Whether Harris succeeds or fails , she faces an enormous burden to simply hold the line, let alone prevent regression along a host of domains from social to economic.

It will be the work of decades to not only patch up the cracks, but to envision and build a system that is fairer, safer and more accessible for all.

But who is up to the task, if not women?

Jack Hayes is a PhD candidate in the Department of International Relations in the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University.

Dr Elise Stephenson is a multi award-winning Australian gender researcher and entrepreneur, and Deputy Director at the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at the Australian National University.

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info.



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Nothing Phone 2a Plus Specifications Leak Ahead of July 31 Launch Date

Nothing Phone 2a Plus key specifications and memory variants have leaked online, days ahead of its debut on July 31. The handset is expected to bring three notable upgrades it will bring over the standard Nothing Phone 2a that was launched earlier this year.

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Friday, July 26, 2024

Shastri's Brutal Take On Gambhir As Head Coach, Says "No-Nonsense Guy..."

Gautam Gambhir is kick off his reign as head coach of the Indian team on Saturday when the Suryakumar Yadav-led side take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of a three-match series. Gambhir replaced former India captain Rahul Dravid at the helm after his contract expired at the end of last month. Since then, a lot has been said and written about Gambhir's appointment, and what he will bring into the table. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared his views on Gambhir's appointment. Shastri passed over the baton to Dravid after the end of the T20 World Cup in 2021.

While the Indian team did not win an ICC trophy during his tenure, the team, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, reached new heights in Test cricket, including back-to-back Test series wins in Australia.

While Gambhir has not had any coaching experience in the IPL, he did work as a mentor with several franchises, and masterminded KKR's title-winning campaign earlier this year.

However, Shastri feels that a young coach like Gambhir will bring a fresh approach into this Indian side.

"He's contemporary, he just had a great season in the IPL. I think he's the right age where he's young, he'll come with fresh ideas. He knows most of the players, especially in the white-ball format, having been part of teams in the IPL. So I think it's refreshing," Shastri said on The ICC Review Show.

Shastri added that while Gambhir is a no-nonsense guy, player management will be key during his tenure.

"And we know with Gautam, he's a no-nonsense guy. He'll have his ideas as well. And the good thing for him is he's got a mature team. He's got a settled team, a mature team. I think even though you might think you're mature, you might benefit from some fresh ideas. So I think it'll be interesting times. Obviously, player management becomes the key as a coach. So it'll be interesting to see how he goes. I think he's got the tools, he's got the goods for the job and he's got the experience."

"It's a question of just understanding his players as quickly as possible. What their strengths are, what kind of human beings they are and what kind of temperaments do they have? What are their personalities? A lot goes behind the scenes to understand a human being," added Shastri.

"I think that will be his most important task, which I think again should not be a problem because he's contemporary. He's seen these guys from the outside, he's dealt with a lot of guys who might have played with KKR as well and for Lucknow (Super Giants) when he was there."



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Agniveer Quits Army, Arrested After Robbing Cars In Punjab

Mohali Police on Wednesday said it has arrested three youths, including an Agniveer, in a vehicle snatching case.

The police said the accused have been identified as Agniveer Ishmeet Singh alias Ishu, Prabhpreet Singh alias Prabh and Balkaran Singh, who had taken a room on rent in Mohali's Balongi.

Addressing a press conference in Mohali, Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Garg said the trio had two days ago allegedly stolen a car from the driver at gunpoint after booking a ride through an app.

They had used pepper spray on the driver's face while snatching the vehicle in Mohali district, he said.

Ishmeet, currently posted in West Bengal, had come to Punjab on leave two months ago but did not rejoin work after his leave period of one month ended, the SSP said, adding that the accused hails from Punjab's Fazilka district.

A probe was launched and the investigation led to the arrest of the accused on Wednesday, he said.

The accused were also involved in a few other incidents of vehicle snatching and theft and used to flee to Fazilka after committing the crimes, the officer said.

"Ishmeet Singh was enrolled as Agniveer in 2022. He had come on leave two months ago but did not join back his duty," the SSP said.

A stolen scooter, a motorcycle and a countrymade pistol have also been recovered from the accused, he added. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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Poco M6 Plus 5G India Launch Date Set for August 1; Price, Key Specifications Listed on Amazon

Poco M6 Plus 5G is all set to go official in India next week. The Xiaomi sub-brand has announced the launch of a new M-series phone through a dedicated microsite on Flipkart. The listing reveals the design and a few key specifications of the phone. The Poco M6 Plus 5G is confirmed to boast a 108-megapixel main rear camera. It appears to have a hole punch design at the...

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Thursday, July 25, 2024

Opinion: Kamala Harris, The Woman Left To Clean Up Joe Biden's Mess

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"We did it, Joe," exclaimed the 49th Vice-President of the United States four years ago-the phrase becoming a war cry of sorts, coming from a half-Black, half-Indian woman, married to a Jewish-American man. This moment became a landmark in the sociopolitical history of the US. For all its celebratory moments, American democracy has a long way to go in terms of representation and inclusivity. When it comes to women, the gender schemas work as effectively in the oldest democracy of the world as it does in the emergent ones to keep women away from the high table. 

Can Kamala Harris be successful in the Holy Grail pursuit of occupying the Oval Office? The odds are stacked against her, starting from the delayed announcement of her candidature. With less than a month to go for the Democratic convention to secure her name on the ticket, Harris has a mountain to climb. The funding numbers are encouraging but the money can go only thus far in attitudinal and ideological battles. 

Women And Politics

To begin with, there is a problem with the recall. Studies (J Hitchon & C Chang, 1995) have revealed that voters recall women candidates in terms of their family and appearance and their men counterparts in terms of campaign activities. Harris understands that and has made this tendency work for her by highlighting her family background. However, in a deeply polarised American society which is in the throes of backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), this strategy may not work as desired any longer. 

Also Read | Indian Americans In Offices Not Reflective Of Their Population: Kamala Harris

American women have been consistently voting at a higher rate than men for more than four decades now. They are certainly not less political than men. Yet, even they are not sending enough women to political offices. Women candidates continue to get penalised for expressing emotions, particularly anger. Harris has been trying to keep her 'anger' in check, often descending into banalities in her public speeches. She has become a constant fodder for the meme factory. Whether this is a carefully crafted strategy, only time will tell.   

"Too Coloured", "Not Coloured Enough"

Harris was only the second Black woman elected to the US Senate in the history of the country. This tells the world something that the Americans cannot be proud of. "The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman," said Malcolm X in 1962. Per some critical indices like education, healthcare, wages et al, the observation holds even today. Harris has come a long way jumping over fiery hoops of racial and gender discrimination. Her win in the presidential polls will be a bigger moment than Barack Obama's presidency in terms of America's race issue. A decade after the 'Black Lives Matter' movement first made its appearance on social media, American society continues to struggle to find the golden equilibrium. The anti-DEI rabble-rousers have now found effective means to punish individuals and institutions that do not toe supremacist lines.

Watch | "She's Experienced, Tough, Capable": Joe Biden Praises Kamala Harris

But Harris is not just Black, she's also half-Indian and the country celebrated her from New Delhi to Chennai as its prodigal daughter. With a steadily growing population in the US over the years, Indians have emerged as a group with political aspirations. Indian community's cultural, regional and religious associations have played an important role in increasing the political heft of Indian Americans. The flip side of this is the growing resentment among the fraudulently so-called originals-the Whites-against powerful immigrant communities. Ironically, even Black Americans harbour some resentment against immigrant communities that have reached the upper rungs of the socio-economic ladder. While this is sociologically 'natural', people like Harris are peculiarly affected. She's coloured but not adequately so for some.

A Course-Correction Too Late

2024 is no 2018, when a surge for Democrats in general and women candidates in particular, sent Democratic women politicians of different ethnicities like Debra Haaland and Sharice Davids (Native American); Ayanna Pressley and Jahana Hayes (Women of Colour); Veronica Escobar, Sylvia R. Garcia, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Latinas) to the Congress. The Republican campaign is bolstered by many a foreign policy faux pas of the Biden administration, the most important one being its role in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Even the captive Democratic voter is expressing dissent. The assassination attempt on Donald Trump has catapulted his already strong chances. 

Choosing Harris over Biden is a tactical course-correction for Democrats, but it may have come a bit too late in the day. Her strengths may not get optimised, her weaknesses are for all to see. As her V-P tenure goes, she has all the blame to carry but no benefits to reap.

Harris has the unenviable position of being the woman who cleans up after a man. If she emerges triumphant, it will be her personal victory, not that of the party. 

(Nishtha Gautam is a Delhi-based author and academic.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author



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Vivo V40 SE 4G With 50-Megapixel Main Camera, 80W Fast Charging Launched: Price, Specifications

Vivo V40 SE 4G has been launched in the Czech Republic. The phone is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon chipset and is backed by a 5,000mAh battery with support for wired fast charging. It carries a 50-megapixel dual rear camera unit and an IP54-rated build. The handset joins the Vivo V40 SE 5G, Vivo V40 Lite 5G and the Vivo V40 Lite 5G in the country.

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Oppo A3X 5G Design, Key Specifications Leaked via China Telecom Listing: Report

Oppo A3X 5G is expected to launch in China soon. The handset has previously been spotted on several certification and benchmarking websites. Now, the phone has reportedly been found on the China Telecom database. The listing has revealed the design of the purported smartphone and some of its key features.

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Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Opinion: Budget 2024: Don't Ignore The Tax-Squeezed Middle Class, Again

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting Modi 3.0's first budget on July 23. Already, there has been much debate about whether it will bring anything new to the table. The middle class, in particular, has a lot of expectations, especially for the reduction of taxes and initiating reforms to simplify the taxation process. 

The Importance Of The Middle Class

India's middle class constitutes around 31% of the total population at present, and its share continues to rise. Notably, a majority of voters from this section have supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since its formation. In fact, of late, this class has played the role of kingmaker, providing parties with that extra push to cross the halfway mark. In 2004, for instance, when the turnout of the middle class had declined by 18%, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was served a shocking defeat.  In the recently concluded general election, as much as 35% of the middle class backed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - three percentage points lower than 2019. At the same time, the Congress's vote share among this class increased by two percentage points since the last election.

At Rs. 10 lakh crore, the middle class accounts for a majority of the individual income tax collection of the government. Also, not more than 3% of the population pays taxes - mostly comprising the middle class - and it's these people who carry the whole of the tax burden on their shoulders. The value of personal income tax collected is more than corporate taxes. That is, the middle class is paying more taxes than all corporates put together, and it's this class the government relies on to fund its capex and welfare programmes. This is untenable in the long run for a middle-income country like India with a per capita income of just around $2,500. 

Relief Long Due

Not very long ago, in the financial year 2010-11, corporate tax collections had been twice as much as personal income tax. The two became almost equal a decade later, in FY2022-23. Since then, personal income tax collections have been budgeted to be higher than corporate taxes. But while the corporate sector was given a big tax relief in the FY 2019-20 budget with a tax rate cut from 30% to 22%, personal income tax has seen no such changes since 2012-13. Deductions have not changed for years, and haven't even been adjusted for inflation. The Centre introduced a new tax regime with higher slabs in FY 2020-21, but it had no provisions for new deductions. 

The middle class in India does not have any social security, except for when one has a government job. Most education and health facilities are not free, and state-run hospitals and schools often lack quality. The middle class is getting restless, and many have begun questioning what they are getting in return for the hefty taxes they pay. Corruption and freebie politics have only exacerbated these concerns. 

India's Tax Structure

India's tax structures also differ from other countries. In Singapore, for example, there is no TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on salary income. A taxpayer get 12 months after the assessment to pay taxes. Also, the first 20,000 SGD (Rs. 12.4 lakh at the current exchange rate) is exempt from taxation. 

Then there is the issue of tax slabs. The highest tax bracket of 30% in India kicks in at much lower incomes. In China, in contrast, the 30% tax rate kicks in at 4,20,000 CNY, more than Rs. 48 lakh as per the current exchange rate. In Russia, all income is taxed at 13%, less than half our peak rate. In the US, income above Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 39 lakh is taxed at just 12% for a single filer.

India on the other hand has a unique situation where individual income of above Rs. 15 lakh in the new tax regime and above Rs. 10 lakh in the old tax regime is taxed at 30%. Meanwhile, corporate income to the tune of crores is subject to just 22% tax, that too after the deduction of expenses. Further, while corporates are taxed on profit (after deducting expenses from incomes), individuals are taxed on income (salaries, professional fees, etc), without any deductions available for expenses incurred to earn income under the new tax regime.

Boosting Consumption

At a time when consumption has been lagging, it's important that the middle class is encouraged to unleash its animal spirits. Not only income tax, the middle class is a big contributor to India's GST collection too, given that it consumes a bulk of the goods and services. 

The NDA government should thus keep the middle class happy, especially as four states go to polls later this year. This class expects substantial relief, not mere cosmetic changes It remains to be seen how the Finance Minister will navigate this tight fiscal position.

(Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist and commentator. In his earlier avatar, he was a corporate and investment banker.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author



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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, Watch 7, Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds 3 Series Go on Sale in India Today

Samsung unveiled a host of new products on July 10 at a Galaxy Unpacked event in Paris. The launches included the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 alongside new smart wearables like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and the Galaxy Watch 7. Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Buds 3 and Buds 3 Pro true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones. These new products from the S...

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Tuesday, July 23, 2024

A Look At Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget Day Attire Through The Years

Dressed in a white silk saree with a purple and gold border, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman walked out of the Finance Ministry with the "bahi-khata" tablet in her hand containing Union Budget 2024-25 on Tuesday.

The Finance Minister will present her seventh Budget and the Modi government's first Budget of the third term of the NDA government.

Before heading to the parliament, Ms Sitharaman posed for photos with the "bahi-khata" tablet wrapped in a red cloth embossed with the golden national emblem.

Over the years, Ms Sitharaman has stuck to Indian textiles and handloom sarees while presenting the union budgets. In the previous six budget presentations, the Finance Minister chose traditional sarees, highlighting her appreciation for Indian textiles and crafts.

Here's a look at what Ms Sitharaman wore while presenting the Union Budget: 

February 2024

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While presenting the interim budget ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Ms Sitharaman wore a blue tussar silk saree with kantha handiwork. Tussar silk is renowned for its distinctive texture and golden lustre. 

2023

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Last year, Ms Sitharaman chose a red and black temple border saree with Kasuti threadwork while presenting the Union Budget in 2023.

2022

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On Budget Day 2022, the Finance Minister opted for a rust brown Bomkai saree with off-white border detailing.

2021

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

In 2021, Ms Sitharaman presented the Budget wearing a red and off-white silk Pochampally saree with ikat patterns and a green border. Pochampally ikat is traditionally made in Telangana. This year she chose to make the Budget paperless delivering the Budget speech using a tablet.

2020

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

In 2020, Ms Sitharaman chose a bright yellow-gold silk saree to present the country's Budget.

2019

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

For her first Budget presentation in 2019, Ms Sitharaman wore a simple pink Mangalgiri saree with a gold border. This year she replaced the leather briefcase which was in use for decades to carry Budget documents with a traditional bahi-khata wrapped in a red cloth.



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Monday, July 22, 2024

Opinion: Can Budget 2024 Meet The Expectations Of A Restless Middle Class?

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting Modi 3.0's first budget on July 23. Already, there has been much debate about whether it will bring anything new to the table. The middle class, in particular, has a lot of expectations, especially for the reduction of taxes and initiating reforms to simplify the taxation process. 

The Importance Of The Middle Class

India's middle class constitutes around 31% of the total population at present, and its share continues to rise. Notably, a majority of voters from this section have supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since its formation. In fact, of late, this class has played the role of kingmaker, providing parties with that extra push to cross the halfway mark. In 2004, for instance, when the turnout of the middle class had declined by 18%, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was served a shocking defeat.  In the recently concluded general election, as much as 35% of the middle class backed the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) - three percentage points lower than 2019. At the same time, the Congress's vote share among this class increased by two percentage points since the last election.

At Rs. 10 lakh crore, the middle class accounts for a majority of the individual income tax collection of the government. Also, not more than 3% of the population pays taxes - mostly comprising the middle class - and it's these people who carry the whole of the tax burden on their shoulders. The value of personal income tax collected is more than corporate taxes. That is, the middle class is paying more taxes than all corporates put together, and it's this class the government relies on to fund its capex and welfare programmes. This is untenable in the long run for a middle-income country like India with a per capita income of just around $2,500. 

Relief Long Due

Not very long ago, in the financial year 2010-11, corporate tax collections had been twice as much as personal income tax. The two became almost equal a decade later, in FY2022-23. Since then, personal income tax collections have been budgeted to be higher than corporate taxes. But while the corporate sector was given a big tax relief in the FY 2019-20 budget with a tax rate cut from 30% to 22%, personal income tax has seen no such changes since 2012-13. Deductions have not changed for years, and haven't even been adjusted for inflation. The Centre introduced a new tax regime with higher slabs in FY 2020-21, but it had no provisions for new deductions. 

The middle class in India does not have any social security, except for when one has a government job. Most education and health facilities are not free, and state-run hospitals and schools often lack quality. The middle class is getting restless, and many have begun questioning what they are getting in return for the hefty taxes they pay. Corruption and freebie politics have only exacerbated these concerns. 

India's Tax Structure

India's tax structures also differ from other countries. In Singapore, for example, there is no TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on salary income. A taxpayer get 12 months after the assessment to pay taxes. Also, the first 20,000 SGD (Rs. 12.4 lakh at the current exchange rate) is exempt from taxation. 

Then there is the issue of tax slabs. The highest tax bracket of 30% in India kicks in at much lower incomes. In China, in contrast, the 30% tax rate kicks in at 4,20,000 CNY, more than Rs. 48 lakh as per the current exchange rate. In Russia, all income is taxed at 13%, less than half our peak rate. In the US, income above Rs 10 lakh and up to Rs 39 lakh is taxed at just 12% for a single filer.

India on the other hand has a unique situation where individual income of above Rs. 15 lakh in the new tax regime and above Rs. 10 lakh in the old tax regime is taxed at 30%. Meanwhile, corporate income to the tune of crores is subject to just 22% tax, that too after the deduction of expenses. Further, while corporates are taxed on profit (after deducting expenses from incomes), individuals are taxed on income (salaries, professional fees, etc), without any deductions available for expenses incurred to earn income under the new tax regime.

Boosting Consumption

At a time when consumption has been lagging, it's important that the middle class is encouraged to unleash its animal spirits. Not only income tax, the middle class is a big contributor to India's GST collection too, given that it consumes a bulk of the goods and services. 

The NDA government should thus keep the middle class happy, especially as four states go to polls later this year. This class expects substantial relief, not mere cosmetic changes It remains to be seen how the Finance Minister will navigate this tight fiscal position.

(Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist and commentator. In his earlier avatar, he was a corporate and investment banker.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author



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Redmi K70 Extreme Edition With MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ SoC, Up to 24GB RAM Launched: Price, Specifications

Redmi K70 Extreme Edition has been launched in China as the latest entry in Xiaomi's Redmi K70 series. The new offering comes with a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset under the hood alongside 24GB of RAM. The Redmi K70 Extreme Edition sports a 6.67-inch display with 1.5K resolution and flaunts a triple camera unit at the rear led by the 50-megapixel main sensor. It hou...

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Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 With Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 5,100mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications

Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 was unveiled in the Chinese market as the latest foldable smartphone from Xiaomi. It is fueled by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and carries a Leica-branded quad rear camera setup with a Summilux lens. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 supports two-way satellite communication and has an IPX8-rated build. It houses a 5,100mAh battery that supports 67W charging...

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Sunday, July 21, 2024

The Role Agarkar Played In Hardik's Sacking From T20I Leadership Roles

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya saw his world turn upside down quickly as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the tour of Sri Lanka. Expected to be named the team's new T20I captain, after the retirement of Rohit Sharma, but the new management structure, especially with Gautam Gambhir coming in as the head coach, had a different perspective towards things. Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar handed the T20I leadership bandwagon in the hands of Suryakumar Yadav, while vice-captaincy went to Shubman Gill.

A number of reports have come in since the news broke, with some suggesting that head coach Gambhir wanted Suryakumar to take the role, as he was unconvinced by Hardik's consistency and fitness. A report in PTI has now also claimed that while Gambhir's arrival did play a role, Chief selector Agarkar wasn't convinced by Hardik's tactical awareness, required for a successful captaincy stint, either.

Gambhir's entry as India's head coach obviously put a spanner in Pandya's national captaincy prospects but even the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar wasn't completely convinced that he is tactically as sound as one expects an international skipper to be, a PTI report stated.

He needs a bit of handholding and Ashish Nehra did that at GT. Mark Boucher wasn't that man at MI and as per a general feedback, the younger lot in the Indian dressing room have a chance of responding way better to Surya than to Pandya.

What is the road ahead for Pandya right now? A terrific performance first up in the Sri Lanka T20Is to drive home a point. Also he can't just wait for India games as he will have to play domestic cricket to improve his below-par international appearance percentage of 50 percent across two white ball formats in last 19 months (69 games (46 out of 79 T20Is and 23 ODIs out of 59 ODIs since Jan 22).

Indian cricket is always full of twists and turns and if Pandya wants to go to the Champions Trophy next year, he will have to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda in December.

Pandya's leadership ambitions have faced a massive roadblock but in cricket, it ain't over till the last ball is bowled.

With PTI Inputs



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Top Deals on OnePlus Smartphones During Amazon Prime Day Sale

Amazon Prime Day 2024 is a two-day sale exclusively available to Prime members. Held every year, the 48-hour event brings massive discounts on electronics. During the sale, popular items such as smartphones are available for much lower prices compared to their listed MRPs. Check out the top deals on OnePlus smartphones during the Amazon Prime Day sale 2024.

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Saturday, July 20, 2024

"Hard To Understand...": Harbhajan Names 3 Massive Snubs For SL Series

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh pointed out three massive exclusions for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. Harbhajan took to social media to express his disappointment at Abhishek Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson missing out. While Samson did find a place in the T20I squad, Abhishek and Chahal were not included at all despite the young batter scoring big against Zimbabwe and the veteran spinner having a brilliant IPL season. "Hard to understand why @yuzi_chahal @IamAbhiSharma4 @IamSanjuSamson are not part of the Indian Team for Sri Lanka," he posted on his official handle on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Meanwhile, newly-appointed captain in the shortest format, Suryakumar Yadav, expressed his happiness after being named as Men in Blue's newest captain in T20Is, saying that the new role brings a lot of "responsibility, excitement and enthusiasm".

India have named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of their men's T20I team for the tour of Sri Lanka with Shubman Gill named as the vice-captain of the T20I and ODI sides. The white-ball tour to Sri Lanka will start from July 27 and will consist of three T20Is and ODIs. It will be India's first international assignment under new coach Gautam Gambhir, who was appointed as the head coach earlier in July.

Taking to Instagram, Suryakumar Yadav wrote, "Thank you so much for outpouring love, support and best wishes from you. The last few weeks have been nothing short of a dream and I am truly grateful. Playing for the country is the most special feeling that I will never be able to describe in words. This new role brings with it, a lot of responsibility, excitement and enthusiasm. I hope to keep receiving your support and blessings. All fame reaches God, God is great."

Here are the India squads for Sri Lanka tour -

T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj.

ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.

(With IANS inputs)



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Friday, July 19, 2024

"Fashion Parade Going On?" Chief Justice Pulls Up Lawyer Without Neckband

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud today gave a dressing down to a lawyer for turning up in the courtroom without his band. Neckbands are a part of lawyers' attire, along with their black coats. 

The advocate raised a matter related to a demolition case and said it was "urgent". The Chief Justice of India, however, was unimpressed by his attire. "Send an email. But where is your band? Is this some fashion parade going on?" he asked, Bar and Bench reported. When the advocate said he was "in a rush", the Chief Justice replied sternly. "Sorry, cannot hear if you are not in proper attire."

The Bar Council of India rules lay down the dress code for advocates appearing in court. "Advocates appearing in the Supreme Court, High Courts, Subordinate Courts, Tribunals or Authorities shall wear the following as part of their dress, which shall be sober and dignified"

"1. ADVOCATES: A black buttoned up coat, chapkan, achkan, black sherwani and white bands with Advocates' Gowns. (b) A black open breast coat. white shirt, white collar, stiff or soft, and white bands with Advocates' Gowns. In either case wear long trousers (white, black striped or grey) Dhoti excluding jeans. Provided further that in courts other than the Supreme Court, High Courts, District Courts, Sessions Courts or City Civil Courts, a black tie may be worn instead of bands," it says.

The rules also lay down a dress code for women advocates: (a) Black full sleeve jacket or blouse, white collar stiff or soft, with white bands and Advocates' Gowns. White blouse, with or without collar, with white bands and with a black open breast coat. Or (b) sarees or long skirts (white or black or any mellow or subdued colour without any print or design) or flare (white, black or black stripped or grey) or Punjabi dress Churidar Kurta or Salwar-Kurta with or without dupatta (white or black) or traditional dress with black coat and bands.



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Honor 200 Pro First Impressions

The Honor 200 Pro offers a great mix of premium design, flagship cameras, and interesting AI features. Check out this first impression to know more!

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Google Offers a First Look at Pixel 9 Pro Fold; Set to Debut in India on August 14 Alongside Pixel 9 Pro

Google's hardware event is all set to take place on August 13. Around a month ahead of the "Made By Google" event, the tech giant posted a new teaser video for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold ending speculations about the design and name of its next foldable Android phone. The teaser suggests an off-white colour option for the foldable. It seems to have a dual-level rear camera ...

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Thursday, July 18, 2024

What Donald Trump's 17-Year-Old Granddaughter Said About Him

Former US President Donald Trump's granddaughter Kai Trump took to the stage at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night to share personal stories about her grandfather. With a proud smile, the Republican presidential nominee listened to the 17-year-old, who described him as a "normal grandpa", spoiling her and her siblings with "candy and soda" when their parents weren't looking.

Kai, the eldest of Trump's 10 grandchildren, claimed she wanted to show the country a side of her grandfather that they "don't often see".

“He always wants to know how we're doing in school,” she said.

Kai shared a heartwarming moment when she made the high honour roll, and her grandfather "printed it out to show his friends how proud he was" of her.

The 17-year-old, the daughter of Donald Trump Jr and his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, revealed that he often calls her during school to ask about her golf game and shares stories about his own. Kai joked that she has to remind him she's "in school and can't talk."

When they play golf together, Trump tries to get inside her head, but Kai says she doesn't let him get to her. "I remind him, I'm a Trump too," she said with a smile.

Despite his busy schedule, including ongoing court cases, Kai said her grandfather always asks about her well-being and encourages her to push herself to be successful. "Obviously, he sets the bar pretty high, but who knows, maybe one day I will catch him," she said confidently.

Later, Kai shared that she was "shocked" after the recent assassination attempt on her grandfather at a Pennsylvania rally. "A lot of people have put my grandpa through hell, and he's still standing," she stated. Affectionately addressing him, she said, "Grandpa, you are such an inspiration, and I love you."

She also addressed the media's portrayal of her grandfather, saying that they make her "grandpa seem like a different person". "But I know him for who he is," she said. "He's very caring and loving. He truly wants the best for this country, and he will fight every single day to make America great again."

Kai Trump has been a frequent presence at Donald Trump's side during various events over the years. She has been spotted at key events such as his inauguration, the announcement of his candidacy in 2015, and the opening of a Trump golf course. Kai has also been seen at golf tournaments and holidays with her grandfather. Her most recent appearances include attending UFC 303 with her father and playing in the ProAm of the LIV Golf Team Championship at the Trump National Doral Golf Club in 2022.



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Oppo A3X 5G Tipped to Launch With Dimensity 6300 SoC, 5,100mAh Battery in July: Expected Specifications

Oppo A3X 5G is expected to launch by the end of July in India in the budget segment, according to a report. The handset is reported to sport features such as a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, 5,100mAh battery and up to 128GB storage. It is speculated to be priced between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000 in India.

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Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Kerala Temple Denies Entry To Foreigner, Congress' Karti Chidambaram Reacts

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram recently reacted to a video wherein a foreigner woman claims that she wasn't allowed to enter a temple in Kerala due to her nationality and religion. In the clip, the woman wearing a saree is heard saying that she was denied entry into the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala as she was told that "only Indians were allowed in the temple". When her fiance, who is an Indian, informed the authorities that they were engaged and she will soon become an Indian, they were sent to the temple office where they were informed that only Hindus were permitted to enter the temple premises. 

The clip originally shared on X by user Harpreet quickly gained traction among social media users. It also caught the attention of Congress leader Karti Chidambaram. Resharing the video, Mr Chidambaram wrote, "Why should anyone be barred from a place worship they want to visit?" 

Take a look at the video below: 

In the video, the woman revealed that she was in fact a Hindu. However, the temple authorities asked her to present a certificate. "Who is carrying a certificate at all times?" the woman is heard asking in the video. 

"This is just not fair," she said, adding that she is going to marry an Indian and has read the Gita, despite which the guards were treating her "like a criminal". She called the temple authorities "racist". She also said that she bought and wore a saree only to enter this temple and extended their trip for a day. "Who is this person sitting in front of God and telling me that we can't enter?" she asked, adding that this is not hate but this is how they feel.

The video, which NDTV could not independently verify, has accumulated millions of views on the microblogging website. In the comments section, while some users supported the foreigner's argument of letting her enter the temple, others asserted that traditions must be respected. 

"Anyone irrespective of their religion and nationality, should be allowed inside hindu temples. Only condition should be they should respect the culture of the temple like dress code , eating vegetarian foods, removing slippers," wrote one user. 

Also Read | Temple Trust Suggests Shankaracharya To Prove Gold Theft Claim In Court

"While I agree with lots of comments thats its a holy place, not a religious one, I also believe that one should ally anyone seeking faith. If they respect the rules and traditions, there shouldn't be any issue at all," expressed another. "Sad and disheartening to hear this couple's experience on being barred from visiting a temple to worship," commented a third. 

However, one user wrote, "Because it is not a tourist place u want to visit ....it is a place u go to worship." To this, Mr Chidambaram responded, "And you are sure of the piety of "everyone" who visit without being challenged since they don't visibly look 'racially different'"

"Do you allow anyone and everyone to enter your house ?? nahin na .. you think temples are parks anyone and everyone should be allowed??" questioned another. "Temples are not tourist places. It's as simple as that. If they give a declaration in writing that they believe in Hinduism , the temple would have allowed them," wrote another user. 



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Xiaomi Mix Flip Design, Key Specifications Including Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Chip Revealed Ahead of July 19 Launch

Xiaomi Mix Flip has been officially announced and it will launch in China on July 19 during the annual speech by Lei Jun, the CEO of Xiaomi. Ahead of its official reveal, Xiaomi has confirmed key specifications of the Mix Flip, including its design, colourways chipset and camera tuning.

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Anthropic Launches Android App for Claude AI Assistant, Powers It With Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Anthropic launched an Android app for its Claude artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot on Tuesday. The Android app comes a couple of months after the AI firm released an iOS app for Claude. Users can find the Claude AI app free to download on the Play Store. The interface works similarly to the website, and even free users can take advantage of all the basic features.

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Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Opinion: Consumption Boost May Be The Key Theme In This Year's Budget

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Generally, budgets that follow the interim budgets announced by the same government do not have many changes. There is no reason to expect differences this time, considering the economy is performing well and growing at above 7% for FY25, with all high-frequency indicators being positive. So, what should we look for in the budget?

There has been a tendency to outline the economic ideology in every budget, with the Finance Minister highlighting the areas of focus. Education and skill development are likely to be emphasised, as they are medium-term goals of the government to ensure sustainable employment in the coming years.

The Fiscal Deficit Ratio

In terms of content, the following issues are of interest. First is the fiscal deficit ratio targeted for the year. The interim budget mentioned 5.1%, which worked out to 5.2% when the provisional numbers for nominal GDP came in lower. Since all budgets are drafted after pegging the fiscal deficit ratio, this will be the starting point. It may be expected that a slightly lower number, around 5%, will be targeted to make the task for FY26 more manageable, which is aiming for a 4.5% deficit. There might also be indications for the future fiscal path, as with steady economic growth in the next few years, the goal of 3% could be back on the table.

Second, the market is abuzz with the deployment of the additional Rs 1 lakh crore that the RBI has passed on to the government. For the entire banking sector, the target was Rs 1.1 lakh crore, which included dividends paid by the PSBs and other public financial institutions. As the surplus to be transferred is at least Rs 1 lakh crore higher, there is a cushion provided to the RBI. At one extreme, the fiscal deficit could be reduced from Rs 16.85 lakh crore to Rs 15.85 lakh crore. More likely, this advantage will be partly used to address other issues in the budget on both the expenditure and revenue sides.

Tax Rationalisation

Third, on the revenue side, there is a call for tax rationalisation, especially at the individual level. Consumption has been tepid in the last few years due to lower income generation at the household level and high cumulative inflation, reducing individuals' purchasing power. Cutting tax rates or widening the income slabs for taxation will help stimulate consumption. Moreover, the salaried class, which pays the highest taxes to the government, including GST, has not received any benefits so far. And they are looking at the budget with expectations.

Fourth, savings have been affected in the last couple of years, with household financial savings declining. This trend followed the pent-up demand phenomenon and higher inflation, which shifted income towards essential consumption. To revive savings, the government could encourage savings through tax-saving schemes and interest paid on home loans. This would help increase both income and savings. This measure, along with tax cuts, will address issues of consumption and savings. The old tax scheme can be reviewed from the savings perspective, while the new tax scheme can promote increased consumption.

Fifth, investment has been slow to pick up due to limited private investment, caused by surplus capacity. To break this gridlock, demand needs to be generated, which can happen only with increased income, dependent on job creation. From a fiscal standpoint, focusing on MSMEs could be a solution, as they contribute to job creation, exports, and industrial growth. A PLI scheme for this segment would help achieve these objectives.

On Increasing Capex And Decreasing Borrowing

Sixth, as private sector investment is still narrow and not broad-based, there is a strong case for the government to continue increasing capex. The government has the option to increase the outlay from the current level of Rs 11.11 lakh crore, given the surplus received from the RBI. However, there may be limited capacity in terms of available projects in roads and railways; so the increase would be marginal.

Seventh, with the fiscal deficit being lowered, the government's overall borrowing could also come down. The question is whether this will be reflected in lower market borrowings or small savings. The latter is more expensive, while the former will help ease liquidity in the system. This is something the market will watch closely, as it will affect bond yields, already influenced by the JP Morgan effect.

Lastly, the revenue expenditure will also be of interest. While the interim budget kept most social welfare schemes pegged to either the budgeted or revised numbers of FY24 (whichever was higher), there could be some adjustments based on election promises. The decisions made by the government in these areas will be of interest. The fact that the economy is doing well gives comfort to the Finance Minister, as there are no immediate challenges to address. 

The market will hence be looking for direction regarding both taxation and the fiscal deficit, as well as market borrowings.

(The author is the chief economist, Bank of Baroda)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author



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Poco C61 Airtel Exclusive Edition With 50GB Free Data Launched in India: Specifications, Price

Poco has partnered with Airtel to launch the Poco C61 Airtel Exclusive Edition in India. launched in India on Monday. The smartphone comes bundled with an Airtel prepaid subscription, free data and special offers. It is priced at Rs. 5,999 and available for purchase starting July 17 on Flipkart.

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Monday, July 15, 2024

"Lord Jagannath Returned Favour": ISKCON Official On Trump Rally Shooting

Radharamn Das, the Vice President and Spokesperson of Kolkata ISKCON has reacted to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The shocking incident took place on Saturday during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The former US President was hit in the ear by a gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

Radharamn Das, in an elaborate post on X - formerly known as Twitter-, said that Donald Trump has Lord Jagannath's blessings.

Calling it a "divine intervention”, Mr Das said, “Exactly 48 years ago, Donald Trump saved the Jagannath Rathayatra festival. Today, as the world celebrates the Jagannath Rath Yatra festival again, Trump was attacked, and Jagannath returned the favour by saving him.”

He added that Donald Trump in 1976 helped ISKCON devotees organise Rath Yatra by “providing his train yard for the construction of the raths for free.”

Drawing parallels between the attempted assassination bid and ongoing Rath Yatra festivities, he added, “Today, as the world celebrates the 9-day Lord Jagannath Rathayatra festival, this terrible attack on him and his narrow escape show Lord Jagannath's intervention.” For context, The 9-day-long festivities will come to an end today with Ulta Rath Yatra. Lord Jagannath along with his siblings – Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra – will return to the main temple [Shree Jagannath Temple]. 

Mr Das continued, “The first chariot procession of the Lord of the Universe Mahaprabhu Jagannath kicked off on the streets of NYC in 1976, with assistance from the then 30-year-old emerging real-estate mogul in the United States of America – Donald Trump.

Nearly 48 years ago, when the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was planning to organise the first Rath Yatra in New York City, challenges were galore.”  

On how former US president Donald Trump emerged as a “ray of hope,” he added, “While the grant of parade permit at the Fifth Avenue was nothing short of a miracle, finding a huge empty site where chariots could be built was also never going to be easy. They knocked at the doors of every person possible, but in vain. It was then that the former US president Donald Trump emerged as a ray of hope for the Krishna devotees.”

Radharamn Das also revealed what Trump's secretary told the ISKCON devotees back then when they paid a visit to his office with the request. “Nevertheless, the devotees went to his office with a big basket of Maha Prasadam and a presentation package. His secretary took it but warned the devotees, "He never agrees to this kind of thing. You can ask but he is going to say NO. Have faith in Mahaprabhu they say, and the miracle was bound to happen! Three days later, Trump's secretary called up the devotees saying, "I don't know what happened but he read your letter, took a bit of the food you left, and immediately said Sure, why not?”

Meanwhile, Thomas Matthew Crooks, the shooter, was killed by one of the Secret Service agents. On the motive behind the attempted assassination, the FBI said, “We do not currently have an identified motive, although our investigators are working tirelessly to attempt to identify what that motive was.”



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