Facing the NBA’s top team and one of the league’s elite players, the Clippers needed to be at their best Sunday if they were to extend their winning streak to six games.
Derrick Jones Jr. made one of two free throws with 1:22 left, leaving the Clippers down 101-100 before things unraveled.
Two costly turnovers, including one by Ivica Zubac after he fumbled the ball out of bounds with 1:01 left, ended one chance to take the lead. Then, with 21 seconds left, Norman Powell missed a shot, and after Zubac got the offensive rebound, Kawhi Leonard missed a shot with four seconds remaining.
The loss dropped the Clippers to eighth in the West.
Gilgeous-Alexander, held to seven-for-29 shooting from the floor, finished with 26 points. He made all 11 of his free-throw attempts, including two in the final seconds.
Leonard had 25 points and 10 rebounds. James Harden, who finished with 17 points, moved past Moses Malone for 11th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Zubac had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The Thunder, who swept the season series against the Clippers (40-31), have the NBA’s best record at 59-12 and the league’s leading scorer and most valuable player candidate in Gilgeous-Alexander (32.9 points per game).
It wasn’t all bad news for the Clippers — coach Tyronn Lue was back on the sideline. He missed five of the previous seven games because of back pain, with the Clippers going 6-1 over that stretch with assistant coach Brian Shaw at the helm.
Lue thanked his coaching staff for keeping the team in good shape.
“I feel a lot better,” Lue said. “I’m just going to take it day by day, game by game. … The pain from my shoulder and back kind of went down my leg a little bit. … I feel really good as far as my back and shoulder. Now, it’s just trying to get the leg part better, but I do feel better from that regard. That’s what was giving me the most problems.”
Just a couple of months after the launch of Sniper Elite Resistance, UK studio Rebellion is back with another big new release for PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
Atomfall is a new narrative-driven survival game set in the English countryside. The Standard Edition of the game has a March 27 release date on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC (via Epic and Steam). However, customers who pre-order the Deluxe Edition can actually begin their adventure three days early.
The Atomfall early access period has a March 24 release date and a 2pm GMT release time for fans living in the UK.
The game is available to pre-load for pre-order customers, although the file size isn’t actually that large. Atomfall weighs in at around 27GB on PS5, 30GB on Xbox Series consoles and 65GB on PC.
The Atomfall Deluxe Edition comes with a few additional in-game bonuses, including basic and enhanced supply bundles to make the early stages a little more manageable. That’s on top of an unreleased Story Expansion, titled The Wicked Isle.
While the Deluxe Edition has a £74.99 price tag on consoles, PlayStation customers can actually nab some free store credit by visiting CD Keys.
At the time of writing, the online retailer is selling £80 PlayStation Store cards for just £74.99. This means you can get the Atomfall Deluxe Edition and have an additional £5 of PSN credit to put towards another game.
After purchasing a top-up card from CD Keys, the retailer will send you a link with the code that can redeemed on the PlayStation Store.
Once you’ve added the credit to your PlayStation account, you can pick up Atomfall Deluxe Edition, or use it to purchase another game.
If you’re playing on Xbox, then it’s worth noting that the Atomfall Standard Edition is launching as a day-one release on Game Pass Ultimate on March 27.
Inspired by the likes of Fallout, Wicker Man and The Quatermass Experiment, Atomfall takes place five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.
Your character wakes up in a bunker with no memory of how they got there and no idea how to escape. Players will need to explore the surrounding countryside for information, following leads and bargaining with other survivors for vital supplies.
Rebellion explains more: “A fictional reimagining of a real-world event, Atomfall draws from science fiction, folk horror, and Cold War influences to create a world that is eerily familiar yet completely alien.
“The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you. Navigate cult-controlled ruins, natural caves, nuclear bunkers and more as you explore this dense, foreboding world.”
An imminent update for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series – bringing upgraded tech, adjusted equipment lists, but no exterior changes – has now been revealed in Japan.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing division has published images of the updated LandCruiser GR Sport, revealing the changes that have been made inside the full-sized off-roader’s cabin.
Toyota Australia previously confirmed last December the updated LandCruiser 300 Series will launch during the second quarter (April and June) of this year.
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GX and GXL’s 8.0-inch screen
VX and up’s 12.3-inch screen
GX and GXL models are moving to a 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, up from 4.2 inches for the former but down from 9.0 inches for the latter.
Despite the touchscreen shrinking in size, it also appears to have lost all of the hard shortcut buttons that used to flank it. There is, however, still a volume knob.
The smaller screen also brings with it wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as connected navigation services and over-the-air updates.
VX and up will stick with a 12.3-inch touchscreen but move to Toyota’s latest generation of infotainment.
VX and up’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
They’ll also drop the 7.0-inch instrument display in favour of a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster.
They’ve now moved to the same climate control array as lesser models, indicating there’ll no longer be screen-based adjustment of these settings.
They also lose their CD player, though there’s now a HDMI port.
Also missing are most of the hard shortcut buttons for the infotainment, though there still remain physical switches for volume control plus a power button for the touchscreen. These now sit higher, just below the screen itself.
GR Sport
Connected service functionality has been expanded to include remote air-conditioning operations, vehicle and trip information as well as alerts, all of which can be accessed through the myToyota Connect smartphone application.
The included subscription with a new LandCruiser will be 12 months, down from three years currently.
Across the range, the LandCruiser’s suite of safety features will be improved, with all variants gaining lane-centring assist and emergency steering assist (previously exclusive to the VX and above).
All variants are also set to gain Toyota’s emergency driving stop system. If the vehicle detects the driver is unresponsive, it’ll pull over safely by itself – provided the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring systems are active.
In addition to this, a safe exit system – which warns of approaching vehicles and cyclists – has been added to LandCruiser 300 variants with blind-spot monitoring (GXL and above), while the GXL also gains Toyota’s rear parking support brake feature that prevents low-speed collisions.
Minor grade-specific changes include LandCruiser GXs gaining a power-adjustable steering column, first-row LED interior lighting, and reverse camera guidelines.
The LandCruiser GXL now features faux-suede fabric upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (with lumbar support), quad-zone climate control, a centre console cool box and a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row of seating, which includes a centre armrest.
Mid-range VXs will be equipped with an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat and a power tailgate.
Current LandCruiser 300 Series range
GR Sport examples will gain a tailgate puddle lamp, while the Sahara and Sahara VX are unchanged.
There are no changes to the LandCruiser’s twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6 diesel engine, which continues to produce 227kW and 700Nm, delivered to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota is yet to announce pricing for the 2025 LandCruiser 300 Series, with more information to be announced closer to its second-quarter launch.
The current 300 Series lineup starts from $96,991 before on-road costs for the base GX, and tops out at $145,791 before on-roads for the flagship Sahara ZX.
Petrol, Diesel Price On March 24: Check City-Wise Rates Across India Including In Delhi, Mumbai And Chennai.
Latest prices of petrol and diesel in India.
Petrol, Diesel Prices Today On March 24, 2025: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) update petrol and diesel prices every day at 6 AM to maintain transparency and account for changes in global market conditions. These daily revisions take into account shifts in international crude oil prices and currency exchange rates, ensuring that consumers get the most accurate and up-to-date fuel price information.
Petrol Diesel Price Today In India
Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on March 24:
City
Petrol (₹/L)
Diesel (₹/L)
New Delhi
94.72
87.62
Mumbai
104.21
92.15
Kolkata
103.94
90.76
Chennai
100.75
92.34
Ahmedabad
94.49
90.17
Bengaluru
102.92
88.99
Hyderabad
107.46
95.70
Jaipur
104.72
90.21
Lucknow
94.69
87.80
Pune
104.04
90.57
Chandigarh
94.30
82.45
Indore
106.48
91.88
Patna
105.58
93.80
Surat
95.00
89.00
Nashik
95.50
89.50
In India, fuel prices have remained steady since May 2022, after the central government and various state governments reduced fuel taxes.
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) revise fuel prices daily at 6 a.m., based on global crude oil prices fluctuations. The government regulates these prices through mechanisms like excise taxes, base pricing, and price caps.
Factors Influencing Petrol and Diesel Prices in India
Crude Oil Prices: As the key raw material for producing petrol and diesel, fluctuations in global crude oil prices have a direct impact on fuel costs in India.
Exchange Rate: India imports a significant portion of its crude oil, so changes in the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the US dollar influence fuel prices. A weaker rupee generally leads to higher fuel costs.
Taxes: Petrol and diesel prices are subject to various taxes imposed by both the central and state governments. These taxes can vary from state to state, contributing significantly to the final price consumers pay at the pump.
Refining Costs: The process of refining crude oil into petrol and diesel incurs costs that influence fuel prices. These expenses can vary based on factors such as the type of crude oil processed and the efficiency of the refinery.
Demand: The balance of supply and demand plays a crucial role in determining fuel prices. Increased demand for petrol and diesel typically results in higher prices, as suppliers adjust to market conditions.
Check Petrol and Diesel Prices via SMS
You can easily check the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. For Indian Oil customers, text the city code followed by “RSP” to 9224992249. BPCL customers can send “RSP” to 9223112222, and HPCL customers can text “HP Price” to 9222201122 to receive the current fuel prices.
News business Petrol, Diesel Fresh Prices Announced: Check Rates In Your City On March 24
Recently, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) has updated its balance of payments standards to account for the increasing importance of digital assets. For the first time, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) are officially recognized in global economic reports.
An analyst, Ashcrypto, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that the IMF had called Bitcoin “digital gold.” This created a buzz in the crypto community. However, Dennis Porter, a well-known voice in the space, quickly questioned this interpretation, asking, “Can anyone point to exactly where the IMF says Bitcoin is ‘digital gold’?”
After diving into the IMF’s statement, Dennis clarified the source of the confusion. The IMF actually referred to Bitcoin as a “new digital asset designed to be used as a means of payment or act as a store of value.”
Ok I’ve tracked down why people are claiming the IMF said Bitcoin is digital gold.
“new digital assets designed to be used as a means of payment or act as a store of value.”
This is a massive stretch to jump to: “IMF says bitcoin is digital gold”.
He remarked that the phrase “designed to be” is crucial here and it doesn’t necessarily mean that the IMF is officially endorsing Bitcoin as “digital gold” or guaranteeing its stability or value like gold. It’s more about recognizing Bitcoin’s potential, not confirming it as a proven asset.
The “store of value” idea for Bitcoin is debated due to its volatility. Unlike gold, which has a long history of stability, Bitcoin’s price can fluctuate significantly.
The IMF’s latest update to the Balance of Payments Manual (BPM7) now includes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) in its global economic framework. This is the first time the IMF has provided clear guidelines on how digital assets should be tracked in global financial stats, marking a big step for crypto in the financial world.
Cryptos like Bitcoin are classified as non-productive capital assets, while stablecoins are treated as financial instruments. The update also changes how cross-border crypto transactions, staking, and mining are tracked, with mining and staking now recorded as services in a country’s computer services exports/imports.
This update is a big step in officially recognizing digital assets as part of the global economy, helping to track and regulate them better in the future.
Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
I’m not a math wizard. But the answer to today’s Wordle puzzle has a math connection. Still, it’s a fairly common word with popular letters. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.
Today’s Wordle hints
Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.
Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats
Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.
Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels
There are two vowels in today’s Wordle answer.
Wordle hint No. 3: Start letter
Today’s Wordle answer begins with the letter A.
Wordle hint No. 4: School days
Today’s Wordle answer came up a lot if you ever studied geometry.
Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning
Today’s Wordle answer refers to the space, usually measured in degrees, between two intersecting lines or surfaces.
TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER
Today’s Wordle answer is ANGLE.
Yesterday’s Wordle answer
Yesterday’s Wordle answer, March 23, No. 1373 was DOPEY.
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) has confirmed the first case of measles in the state, as an uptick across the country has recently been reported by health authorities.
“The individual became infected with measles in early March and is recovering at home,” according to a statement from the government agency. “Public health officials are working to identity [sic] other locations and persons potentially exposed to the virus.”
TDOH noted that it is also investigating the source of the infection.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MEASLES OUTBREAK
SEMINOLE, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 27: Signs point the way to measles testing in the parking lot of the Seminole Hospital District across from Wigwam Stadium on February 27, 2025 in Seminole, Texas. Eighty cases of measles have been reported in Gaines county with one death reported.(Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 300 cases of the highly contagious and potentially fatal illness have been confirmed this year.
As of March 18, the state of Texas accounted for 279 of the cases, by far the most in the country, with 191 cases being reported in Gaines County alone.
New Mexico has the second-highest number of reported cases, with 36.
Five cases have been confirmed in California, along with four in Oklahoma.
Georgia, New York and New Jersey have each had three confirmed cases during the outbreak, and Pennsylvania has had two.
Seven other states have reported one case each of measles.
FLY SAFELY AMID MEASLES OUTBREAK WITH THESE IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS
TDOH echoed the CDC’s message that the best way to prevent measles is to receive the two-dose measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
A vial containing the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is showcased at the Neighborcare Health clinics located at Vashon Island High School in Vashon Island, Washington, on May 15, 2019.(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
The outbreak has been a source of debate about vaccines and their effectiveness, with one Texas couple whose daughter died from the illness saying they still would not have vaccinated her against the virus.
The tell-tale sign of a measles case is a red rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Additional symptoms can include fever, headache, cough or congestion.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News’ Melissa Rudy and Angelica Stabile contributed to this report.
Peter D’Abrosca joined Fox News Digital in 2025 and covers U.S. Crime.
Previously, he was a public relations executive and a reporter at The Tennessee Star.
Baking is more than a culinary skill; it is a form of creative expression that blends science and creativity. Pastry chefs convert basic ingredients into culinary marvels, creating dishes that are not only visually appealing but also delectable. From creating croissants to designer cakes topped with sugar flowers, bakers carefully merge both arts and science.
In recent times, the baking industry has undergone a paradigm shift. New baking methods have been introduced and there has been increasing demand for health-conscious dishes. This has propelled bakers to transform their kitchens into studios, pushing their abilities to develop something flavourful and creative.
Also Read: 10 Fool-Proof Tips to Prevent Baking Disasters
The Pastry Revolution
Various contemporary innovations have contributed to the transformation of the pastry industry. Among many, one of the key innovations is 3D printing, allowing bakers to expand chocolate sculptures, edible lace and architectural sugar constructions with remarkable accuracy.
Likewise, advances like mirror glazing, hand painting and airbrushing have shaped pastries into edible artworks. These innovations help bakers enable smooth colour transitions, broaden patterns and create striking visual effects on pastries. This has further evolved pastries into works of art. Fondant sculpting has further redefined pastry design, assisting bakers to create ornate figures. On the other hand, sugar work only involves shaping molten sugar into delicate and glass-like creations while adding a touch of elegance to pastries.
Also Read: Bake Like A Pro: 6 Essential Tools To Elevate Your Dessert Creations
Image Credit: File Photo
Introduction Of Sustainability In Pastry Design
The baking industry has recently started focusing on sustainability in ingredients and in packaging. Bakers prefer organic and locally sourced ingredients to make sure their pastries are not only tasty but also reduce environmental impact. This is not just a trend; it is an era that reflects the changing tastes of modern-day consumers.
Furthermore, with the increasing use of compostable and biodegradable materials, pastry shops are reducing plastic usage. As a result, the elegance and presentation of pastries are kept intact. In addition, the rising demand for gluten-free and low-sugar products has led the industry to develop inclusive pastry options without compromising on artistry.
Pastry Decoration At Par
Pastry decoration has become an important aspect of the industry. Nevertheless, it requires the creativity and precision of bakers. Another innovative method, hand painting, allows bakers to use edible pigments to craft beautiful cake designs. It includes breathtaking, lifelike illustrations and watercolour effects.
The Growth Of Pastry Industry
The combination of art and baking is no longer a mere passion of bakers; it has turned into a business opportunity. While the culture of homebakers has been popular globally, they have now become a trend in India. Many passionate bakers are now turning their passion into professions. They are enrolling in specialised baking courses, learning technical skills and then opening their bakeries. Though these start-ups are small, they are a constant source of fun and income for home bakers. Following this, the IMARC group has predicted that the Indian pastry market size will reach USD 31.5 billion by 2033. Social media has also contributed to this market growth, assisting home bakers to showcase their talents to a widespread audience.
Additionally, the rise of social media has propelled this fusion of art and baking to new heights, with platforms like Instagram offering pastry chefs the opportunity to showcase their visually striking creations to a global audience. The appreciation for the aesthetics of food has surged, as more people recognize that the beauty of a dessert can be as important as its taste.
Also Read: Bake Like A Boss: 5 Genius Tips For First-Time Bakers To Excel
Photo Credit: Pexels
All in all, the future of baking lies in the ability of bakers to balance their creativity with innovation and sustainability. Whether through classic methods or innovative styles, pastry chefs will continue to reshape the boundaries of edible art. They have understood that in the world of baking, every dessert is more than a sugar treat. It is rather a masterpiece and testament to creative magic in this culinary world.
Author’s Bio: Sehaj Ghuman is an assistant pastry chef at Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-23/Istanbul-mayor-arrested-over-corruption-state-media-1BYPO7z4VWw/img/1e5d39aca5b04cd5a9e5cf8da1baa7b8/1e5d39aca5b04cd5a9e5cf8da1baa7b8.png' alt='A billboard of Ekrem Imamoglu, mayor of Istanbul, in Istanbul, Türkiye, March 20, 2025. /VCG'
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was officially arrested Sunday on corruption charges, the Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
Imamoglu faced accusations of “bribery, corruption, qualified fraud, illegally obtaining personal data for profit and tampering with a tender,” according to the agency.
Imamoglu had been under interrogation in police custody at the Istanbul Police Headquarters since his detention on Wednesday, in connection with two investigations related to terrorism and corruption.
Upon completing his interrogation at the police station, he was escorted to the main courthouse at around 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) on Saturday under heavy police presence for further legal proceedings. The mayor denied all the accusations against him.
Imamoglu was released under judicial control in connection with the terrorism investigation, in which he is accused of aiding and assisting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the European Union and the United States.
In February, Imamoglu applied to the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to become a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.
The CHP is expected to officially declare Imamoglu as its presidential candidate following a vote by party members, which began at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and is set to end at 5 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) on Sunday.
Imamoglu was re-elected for a second term as mayor of Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest city, after his decisive victory in the local elections held in 2024, over his rival Murat Kurum, a candidate from the ruling Justice and Development Party.
Millions have been transfixed by videos of Karis Dadson, a California teenager who shows pigs at livestock competitions. She finds the whole thing very weird.
Home sales and launches across tier 1 markets have shown a falling trend both sequentially and annually in the first quarter of 2025, according to data by PropEquity, pointing to a continuing correction in the market that has been a trend last year as well.
Sales have fallen by nearly a fourth on year and new supply by over a third. Sequentially sales have fallen by 13 per cent and new launches by 12 per cent. The only city that saw a rise in sales and launches was Bengaluru.
In February businessline had reported that home sales and launches had dropped in the second half of 2024 compared to the first half.
The cities and regions in the survey are Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and the Delhi-National Capital Region.
Pointing out that the housing market was seeing a correction after three years of robust sales Samir Jasuja, founder and CEO of PropEquity said, “Rise in home prices and caution on the part of investors due to geo-political developments and certain weaknesses in the Indian economy have resulted in drop in sales.”
However the sales to launch ratio has remained consistently above 100 per cent. With launches lagging sales, inventory has reduced sharply and for future quarters this poses a risk to their pre-sales growth.
In a recent note on the segment, HSBC Securities had said that top listed developers had already achieved 70 per cent of their FY25 guidance in the first nine months of the year. However, “they have lagged on launches versus guidance which has been a sector-wide problem.”
“Although this provides a cushion, further delay in launches exposes them to missing their pre-sales given that there is little inventory to sell,” it added. At an aggregate level developers have achieved only 61 per cent of their launch guidance.
Several analysts have commented on the residential cycle peaking. According to the PropEquity data traditionally high supply markets such as Hyderabad, Pune and Thane have seen significant declines.
Sales dropped the most in Hyderabad, followed by Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Chennai. The markets that saw the steepest fall in launches were Kolkata, Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Chennai.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
DANAS postoji mnogo uređaja za njegu kože, pa je ponekad teško odlučiti koji su stvarno vrijedni uvrštavanja u svakodnevnu rutinu. Najbolje su oni koji su jednostavni za korištenje, lako se uklapaju u vašu rutinu i mogu se koristiti bilo gdje i bilo kada.
Jedan od takvih uređaja je Bon Charge Red Light Face Wand, koji je postao popularan zahvaljujući Kourtney Kardashian. Na svojoj lifestyle platformi Poosh preporučila ga je kao proizvod tjedna, ističući njegove prednosti u borbi protiv bora i finih linija te vraćanju prirodnog sjaja koži.
Ovaj uređaj pomaže u postizanju ujednačenog tena, zateže konture lica i smanjuje vidljivost bora, ostavljajući kožu mlađom, svježijom i blistavijom.
Za razliku od LED maski koje pokrivaju cijelo lice, Bon Charge Red Light Face Wand kombinira crveno i infracrveno svjetlo, čime precizno cilja problematična područja. Ergonomski dizajn omogućuje mu da lagano klizi po licu, smanjuje natečenost i podiže i oblikuje lice.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Zahvaljujući svojoj praktičnoj veličini, ovaj uređaj možete ponijeti na put, koristiti ga za radnim stolom ili imati u torbici. Prikladan je za sve tipove kože i ne zahtijeva posebnu pripremu, samo njime prijeđite preko kože i on će se automatski aktivirati.
Što kažu kupci?
Kupci hvale Bon Charge Red Light Face Wand zbog učinka na kožu i jednostavnog korištenja. Jedna korisnica ističe da joj uređaj zateže kožu ispod brade i da je ugodan za korištenje, dok druga kaže da joj koža izgleda svježije i mlađe već nakon dva tjedna i da dobiva komplimente.
Međutim, neki korisnici imaju i nekoliko zamjerki – smeta im što uređaj neprekidno vibrira i što se automatski gasi kad se odmakne od kože. S druge strane, mnogi ističu da je koža nakon korištenja mekša, a uređaj praktičan jer se glava može pomicati za lakše korištenje na konturama lica.
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There’s no doubt who was the best high school basketball player in California this season.
From start to finish, Brayden Burries of Eastvale Roosevelt rose to almost every occasion, helping his team win Southern Section and state championships at the highest level.
Whether scoring, rebounding or setting up teammates with timely assists, Burries delivered repeatedly during a 35-2 season. His physicality left opponents with few choices on how to proceed.
“He just gets to the free-throw line and puts so much pressure on the defense and is such a physical presence and knows how to impact the game,” Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo said.
For a season of excellence against top opponents and delivering in big game after big game, Burries is The Times’ boys’ basketball player of the year.
At 6 feet 5, his size and aggressiveness played into his ability to take control of games just when Roosevelt needed him most. He was too strong for guards and two agile for forwards and centers.
His final game for Roosevelt at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento in the Open Division state final against San Francisco Archbishop Riordan produced a performance for the ages — he scored 44 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
One of the best 16 minutes of high school basketball I’ve ever seen by an individual. 27 points by Brayden Burries. 10 of 13 shots. 44-33 Roosevelt over Riordan. pic.twitter.com/vi3htlEF4Q
His coach, Stephen Singleton, said it wouldn’t be the last time Burries played at Sacramento’s NBA arena and insisted no other Roosevelt player would wear No. 5 on their jersey because his number would be retired.
“Best player in Roosevelt history,” he said.
Burries averaged 30 points per game and had so much fun playing with his friends that he said after his performance against Riordan, “I wish there was another game.”
Burries will play in the McDonald’s All-American Game on April 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. He remains uncommitted on his college choice.
Singleton, who coached former NBA center Tyson Chandler at Compton Dominguez, has no doubt that Burries is on a similar path to basketball success with his drive to excel.
I’m thinking of replacing my Apple Watch with a new wearable device that’s launching in June. Atari has just announced a new smart watch that comes with an array of classic 2600 games like Missile Command and Pong. A retro gaming fan’s dream, the Atari 2600 My Play Watch is available to pre-order from the Atari website ahead of its June 10 release date. The Atari 2600 smart watch costs just $79.99 (£62 at the time of writing), which is a lot cheaper than the Apple Watch, and a big reason why I’m so tempted to invest.
READ MORE: Atari 2600+ REVIEW – A fabulous flashback to gaming’s golden age
The Atari device also comes with two interchangeable bands, complete with reversible designs. One of the straps replicates the look of the Atari 2600 console, another takes inspiration from Centipede, while my favourite has a Super Breakout theme. A third watch strap featuring a Missile Command design is also available while stocks last.
Elsewhere, the crown and button have been designed to look like classic Atari controller buttons. The rotating crown is of particular importance, serving as a paddle controller.
This brings me to the main reason why I’m thinking of ditching my Apple Watch in favour of the 2600 My Play Watch: the games.
The Atari device comes with four all-time gaming classics, including Pong, Missile Command, Centipede and Super Breakout. Centipede is my personal favourite, followed closely by Missile Command. Pong is one of the titles that put gaming on the map, while Super Breakout is as playable now as it was back in the late 1970s.
Outside of gaming, the Atari 2600 My Play Watch comes with basic fitness functions to just about justify the smart watch tag.
The Atari wearable monitors heart rate, steps, and calories burned. It’s also IP68-rated for complete dust protection and water resistance beyond 1 meter.
Unlike the Apple Watch and other more premium smart watches, the Atari device doesn’t come with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth functionality.
This means no email, WhatsApp or text message notifications, and you won’t be able to use it to control your music, answer calls and send messages.
This is undoubtedly the biggest drawback, and why Apple probably doesn’t have too much to worry about from Atari’s latest entry in the wearable space.
However, if like me you’re a sucker for old-school video games and love Atari, then you can pre-order the Atari 2600 My Play Watch from the Atari website.
(It looks like it will ship worldwide, although Daily Express has contacted Atari for confirmation, and about potential availability beyond the Atari website.)
Kia has finally done away with the dreary non-turbo engine in lower-grade Stonic models, as well as adding a few expected safety features to the range.
Note: This is an updated version of a review first published in September 2024. There have been no specification changes since then, though pricing has changed slightly.
We have updated key details, including pricing, with the most up-to-date information available. You can read the original version of this review here.
WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2021 Kia Stonic GT-Line
Does that make this small SUV stack up better than before? Well, it costs more now (but doesn’t everything?) and there are still some kinks that could be ironed out…
But in this review, you’ll learn if the mid-spec 2025 Kia Stonic Sport is the pick of the range, or if spending a couple of grand more on the GT-Line would be a better bet.
How does the Kia Stonic compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Kia Stonic against similarly sized vehicles.
Kia
Stonic
How much does the Kia Stonic cost?
The variant tested here is the mid-spec Sport, which previously was a misnomer. But with the new, more powerful three-cylinder turbo engine, it actually lives up to the moniker a little better.
Model
Price before on-roads
Drive-away price
2025 Kia Stonic S
$25,660
$27,740
2025 Kia Stonic Sport
$28,790
$30,340
2025 Kia Stonic GT-Line
$31,980
$33,540
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What is the Kia Stonic like on the inside?
Kia hasn’t gone hard on the whole ‘bling’ thing on the inside of the Stonic, especially compared to some rivals that have a whole lot more wow factor for new car buyers.
There have still been some improvements for the Stonic that bode well for buyers, including a digital instrument cluster rather than a small screen flanked by conventional dials.
The centre part of the new display includes a multi-info display, with a trip computer screen, compass, temperature readout and more. When you change drive modes (yes, all grades have three modes – Normal, Sport and Eco) the colouring around the edges of the cluster changes.
The other screen is an 8.0-inch touchscreen unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which require you to plug in. There’s also no wireless phone charger, so this isn’t feeling as modern as many rivals in this class.
But in some ways, the old-school screen is great because it’s simple to learn, the menus are straightforward, and there are buttons below and dials to the side for simple changes on the move.
The mid-spec Sport has satellite navigation as standard, but I mainly stayed connected to CarPlay and had no issues with it (as is typically the case with USB-connected mirroring).
The brilliance of simple controls continues below the touchscreen, with dials for the single-zone climate control temperature and the fan speed, as well as buttons for the air direction, air circulation, and front and rear defoggers.
Who would have thought those things would be worthy of praise? But those blingy, screen-heavy small SUVs often have minimal physical buttons and knobs, which makes them tedious to interact with.
There are illuminated vanity mirrors (you need to flick the switch to light things up, though), and it gets a manual day/night mirror, not an auto-dimming one. There’s a standard sunglass holder, however.
Storage up front is decent, with a shelf above the USB-A port that’s a bit too cramped to fit a large smartphone. There’s also a pair of cupholders between the seats, a covered centre console area, and decent front door pockets for bottles.
Something you can’t escape in this car is the feeling of cheapness – the armrests on the doors are hard plastic, and it’s not a nice feeling on your elbow!
In the back, it’s the same story. The door cards have bottle holders but also have hard plastic finishes. There’s also no flip-down armrest, so no cupholders. Other amenities include a single USB-A port, one map pocket, grab handles on the ceiling and a light.
No directional air vents in the back means that parents mightn’t find the situation to be ideal for little ones in the back, but there are ISOFIX points in the window seats and three top tethers for child seats.
The space for a six-foot adult behind their own driving position is okay, but a bit cramped in terms of legroom. Head room, toe room and shoulder space are all fine for the size of the car.
The boot space is decent, with 332 litres of cargo capacity with the back seats up, and 1132L available when you fold those rear seats down.
There are shopping bag hooks and a handy storage box on the side of the boot area, and while there are locators for an adjustable hard boot floor, the actual boot floor is flimsy, and doesn’t slot in there to raise the floor.
Under the boot is a space-saver spare wheel, which is a plus.
Dimensions
Kia Stonic Sport
Length
4140mm
Width
1760mm
Height
1520mm
Wheelbase
2580mm
Cargo capacity
332L (5 seats) 1132L (2 seats)
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
As mentioned, the big change here is the standardisation of the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, which previously was reserved for the top-spec GT-Line.
Specifications
Kia Stonic Sport
Engine
1.0L 3cyl turbo
Power
74kW
Torque
172Nm
Transmission
7-speed dual-clutch auto
Driven wheels
FWD
Weight
1227kg (tare)
Fuel economy (claimed)
5.4L/100km
Fuel economy (as tested)
7.1L/100km
Fuel tank capacity
45 litres
Fuel requirement
91 RON (E10 capable)
CO2 emissions
125g/km
Emissions standard
Euro 5
Braked tow capacity
900kg
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Kia Stonic drive?
The previous engine in the S and Sport grades was a dud.
Well, that might be harsh – it was barely adequate in terms of power, and the auto transmission always felt like it was robbing you of momentum by trying to upshift early to save fuel.
This new engine? It was a great fit for the sportier looking GT-Line in the last range, and it is definitely a more fitting device for this application more broadly.
With a relatively light weight and a decent amount of torque, the updated Stonic never feels like it runs out of puff like the last model did, and the engine is a bit of a revelation.
It offers ample zest and zippiness in slower driving situations around town, and also handles highway hauling with ease, responding quickly to sudden throttle inputs.
The seven-speed dual-clutch isn’t perfect, but it does do a good job once you’re away from a standstill.
In stop-start situations it can be a bit sluggish to respond, especially if the engine start-stop system has activated. That, with DCT and turbo lag can make for some less-than-perfect take-offs from a standing start.
At speed the DCT is good, offering smart and snappy shifts, and in my testing I found it to be more agreeable than I recalled the GT-Line feeling previously.
Sitting atop 17-inch wheels with relatively low-profile rubber there is a bit of a firmness to the ride, but it doesn’t get clumsy or crashy unless you hit a really sharp edge.
The steering is nicely weighted and responsive in urban driving, but there’s also a level of surety and control that some cheap Chinese alternatives don’t offer when driving on country roads or at freeway pace.
There’s a bit of racket to contend with on coarser road surfaces, but it isn’t too bad around town.
Thankfully, unlike plenty of rivals, there is not an abundance of frustrating safety technology that require disabling before you can drive in peace. There is a lane-keeping button, which is simple to disable if you don’t like it.
But what may annoy some is the lack of adaptive cruise control, which makes distance commuting a bit more of a ‘do I really have to think this much at 7am?’ task.
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
The 2025 Kia Stonic range continues to be offered in three trim levels – on test here is the mid-spec Sport variant.
2025 Kia Stonic S equipment highlights:
15-inch alloy wheels (NEW)
Space saver spare wheel
Idle stop-start
Cloth upholstery
6-way manual driver’s seat adjustment
Heated, electric-folding side mirrors (NEW)
Roof rails
Digital instrument cluster
8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Front USB charging port
Manual air-conditioning
Stonic Sport adds:
17-inch alloy wheels
Front fog lights
Push-button start
Rear privacy glass (NEW)
Front centre console armrest
Rain-sensing windscreen wipers (NEW)
Premium shift knob
Premium steering wheel
2 x USB charging ports
Satellite navigation
DAB+ digital radio
Single-zone climate control (NEW)
Auto window defogger
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the Kia Stonic safe?
The Kia Stonic achieved the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2017, based on testing of the now-defunct Rio. That rating has now expired, meaning the car is now unrated.
Standard safety equipment includes:
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with forward collision warning
Car, pedestrian and cyclist detection
Lane-keep assist
Lane following assist
Lead vehicle departure alert
Front (NEW) and rear parking sensors
Blind-spot collision avoidance (NEW)
Dusk-sensing automatic headlights
Speed-sensing auto door lock
Those additional safety items do add some value and convenience, but it still lacks adaptive cruise control. Many affordable rivals include this along with traffic jam assist.
It also is fitted with six airbags – dual front, front side and full-length curtain.
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How much does the Kia Stonic cost to run?
Kia offers a standard seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The brand also includes roadside assistance for up to eight years, providing you service within the brand’s dealer network.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.
Service interval
Service cost
12 months/10,000km
$290
24 months/20,000km
$491
36 months/30,000km
$345
48 months/40,000km
$727
60 months/50,000km
$326
72 months/60,000km
$610
84 months/70,000km
$578
Total
$3367
At an average cost of $481 per service, the maintenance is on the pricey side.
In fact, it’s more than double the cost of a Toyota Yaris Cross to service, and that rival has longer service intervals too. So make sure you do the maths, because if you travel 20,000km a year it’s going to add up fast.
To see how the Kia Stonic stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Kia Stonic
There is no doubt the turbo engine makes a big difference to the drive experience in the lower spec Stonic models, but make sure you take it for a thorough test drive with lots of stop-start situations to see how you find the engine and transmission at city speeds.
Otherwise, it’s a pretty compelling option compared to budget-focused alternatives, especially if you appreciate not having to interact with a screen to try and do anything in the cabin.
Interested in buying a Kia Stonic? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Tech Layoffs: The lower demand for PG is affecting landlords and operators and they face financial strain amid falling occupancy rates and diminishing property values, say reports.
In the current financial year so far, 87 tech companies have laid of a total of 23,054 employees.
Even as the tech job crisis takes a hold, Bengaluru’s real estate market seems to be taking a major hit with falling occupancy rates and declining property values. In the latest layoffs, e-commerce giant Amazon is reportedly laying off around 14,000 employees.
According to a Financial Express report citing Inshorts, the tech layoffs have an immediate effect on the PG demand and rental market in Bengaluru. PG is the most affordable option for junior IT employees. The lower demand for PG is affecting landlords and operators and they face financial strain amid falling occupancy rates and diminishing property values.
Amazon is set to cut 14,000 jobs in order to as part of its major restructuring plan to save costs, according to reports. This comes after the e-commerce giant had cut 18,000 jobs in November.
“The impact on Bengaluru’s rental market is already evident. PG facilities, once bustling with junior IT workers, are seeing dwindling demand. Many landlords and property investors, especially in tech hubs like the Outer Ring Road (ORR), now face declining occupancy rates and falling property values,” according a report by newskarnataka.com.
The Amazon layoffs will mainly hit engineering, marketing, and product management job roles.
Earlier in the month of October 2024, CEO Andy Jassy revealed that the company will reduce its managerial staff to increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers by 15% by the end of Q1 2025. The restructuring is designed to help Amazon save up to $3 billion annually, as noted by an analysis from Morgan Stanley.
Layoffs In 2024, So Far This Year
In the current year so far, 87 tech companies have laid of a total of 23,054 employees, according to layoffs.fyi. It excludes Amazon’s figures.
In 2024, 549 tech companies had sacked a total of 152,472 employees. The year 2023 witnessed the highest layoffs with 2,64,220 employees being laid off by 1,193 tech companies.
The tech companies have been resorting to layoffs in the past two-three years in order to save costs amid a shift to AI automation.
With the growing wave of layoffs, the demand for affordable housing is likely to plummet, leaving investors with vacant properties and declining asset values.
Slamming the Amazon layoffs, Complete Circle CIO Gurmeet Chadha said questioned the use of titles like “People Experience Head” and “Chief People Officer” while referring to employees as “family,” calling it all a drama.
“Amazon is laying off 10000 more people after laying off 18k in November. They call their HR heads as People Experience Head, Chief People Officer and fancy names… employees r called families. Sab drama!!” he said in a post on X.
News business » real-estate Tech Layoffs 2025: Bengaluru PG Demand Falls, Property Values Decline As City’s Housing Market Takes A Hit
Amid market uncertainty, Cardano (ADA) has been consolidating in a tight range over the past few days near a crucial level, creating a make-or-break situation. For the past 11 days, ADA has been fluctuating between $0.70 and $0.74, now testing the lower boundary of this range.
ADA’s Current Price Momentum
Besides this consolidation, ADA’s current price is also supported by an ascending trendline that has been intact since the beginning of March 2025. The asset is currently trading near $0.71 and has registered a modest price surge of over 0.50% in the past 24 hours.
Cardano (ADA) Technical Analysis and Key Levels
According to expert technical analysis, ADA is already forming a symmetrical triangle pattern alongside its ongoing consolidation. If the asset breaks out of this pattern and closes a four-hour candle above the $0.74 level, there is a strong possibility it could breach the consolidation and surge by 15% to reach the $0.85 mark.
Source: Trading View
As of now, the asset holds the potential to rise by 3%, meaning it could easily reach the $0.736 level. This prediction applies to a lower time frame. However, on a higher time frame, ADA’s daily chart suggests that a major rally will only begin once the asset closes a daily candle above the $0.85 level.
With the ongoing bearish market sentiment and an unclear pattern, traders and investors seem to be participating less in ADA, resulting in a record drop in trading volume, as reported by the on-chain analytics firm Santiment.
Source: Santiment
Data reveals that the asset’s trading volume is at its lowest since the beginning of 2025. Moreover, in the past 24 hours, the volume has dropped further by 15%.
U.S. immigration officials on Friday sent an email to the legal team of Momodou Taal, a Cornell University student who has participated in pro-Palestinian protests, asking him to turn himself in, Taal’s attorneys said in a court filing.
A “notice to appear” sent by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials is among the first steps in the deportation process.
Taal, a doctoral candidate in Africana Studies and dual citizen of the UK and the Gambia, has participated in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s war in Gaza following an October 2023 Hamas attack.
Read: Now, universities in Trump’s crosshairs
President Donald Trump has pledged to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters and accused them of supporting Hamas and being antisemitic.
Taal’s attorneys called the development a free speech assault. Taal previously filed a lawsuit to block deportations of protesters. He has said he was doxxed.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say their critics wrongly conflate their criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights with antisemitism and support for Hamas.
Read: Columbia University agrees to Trump administration demands for federal funding restoration
“ICE invites Mr Taal and his counsel to appear in-person at the (Homeland Security Investigations Office) in Syracuse at a mutually agreeable time for personal service of the (Notice to Appear) and for Mr Taal to surrender to ICE custody,” a U.S. government email said, according to the filing on Friday.
No timeline was mentioned.
ICE had no immediate comment.
Last year, Taal was in a group of activists who disrupted a career fair on campus that featured weapons manufacturers and the university thereafter ordered him to study remotely.
Trump’s administration has also attempted to deport other foreigners in its crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices. Human rights advocates have widely condemned the moves.
Columbia University protester Mahmoud Khalil was arrested this month and is legally challenging his detention.
Trump, without evidence, accused Khalil of supporting Hamas. Khalil denies links to the militant group that Washington considers a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Badar Khan Suri, an Indian studying at Georgetown University, was detained this week. Suri’s lawyer denies his client supported Hamas. A federal judge barred Suri’s deportation.
I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve finished watching a film for the first time and immediately turned around to rewatch it. And there’s only one film that I wish I could erase from my memory simply to watch it again for the first time. That film is Céline Sciamma’s 2019 film Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
Read more: Best Streaming Services of 2025
A visually stunning film that reimagines a timeless love story, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is brimming with slow-burn passion, classical references, relevant and modern themes with breathtaking cinematography to boot. I first saw the movie as an undergraduate film student at UNC Chapel Hill and have since watched the film at least a dozen times, each resonating as strongly as the first watch.
So I can’t help but evangelize the film — especially when it’s free to watch on Kanopy. The movie is also available on Hulu with a paid subscription or available to rent on Prime Video, but the easiest option is to watch for free right now on Kanopy with your public library login or university ID credentials.
Set in 1770 Brittany, in northern France, Portrait of a Lady on Fire tells the story of Marianne, a middle-class painter commissioned by a countess to paint the wedding portrait of her daughter, Héloïse, a young woman forced to leave the convent to enter an arranged marriage with a Milanese nobleman.
Almost every scene in Portrait of a Lady on Fire looks like a masterpiece painting.
Lilies Films/Hold-Up Films/Arte France Cinéma
Opposing the marriage, Héloïse refuses to sit for any portrait, which would guarantee her marriage, so Marianne must produce the portrait in secret. Having already exhausted other painters, the Countess instructs Marianne to act as Héloïse’s companion, accompanying her day to day while silently memorizing her features to paint in secret.
Through these meetings, the two women form a friendship and eventually a romance that transcends boundaries of class and sexuality. Tragically, Marianne is forced to create the one object that will ensure the end of her blossoming relationship with Héloïse.
Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel deliver engrossing and elegant performances.
Lilies Films/Hold-Up Films/Arte France Cinéma
Starring Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel, accompanied by an almost entirely female cast, the film is a powerfully acted LGBTQ+ romance that studies power, memory, passion and desire through the eyes of women. Despite its 18th century setting, the film unflinchingly examines modern themes of gender, class, sexuality and reproductive rights — all of which suffocate under a repressive patriarchal society, yet flourish when those strict confines are removed. Noted as a feminist film that banishes the male gaze, reinterprets the classic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, and subverts expectations of the master/muse relationship, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a rare feminist triumph.
With its nuanced themes, exquisite cinematography and emotionally resonant performances, it’s a beautifully moving film, and you’re sure to have a profound and unforgettable cinematic experience. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll just sob in front of a theater full of strangers and not even care. Either way, you’re in for a treat. (And while you’re at it, I will probably be watching it for the umpteenth time.)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire won the Queer Palm at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
Lilies Films/Hold-Up Films/Arte France Cinéma
Portrait of a Lady on Fire was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. The film lost that top honor to Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, but won the Queer Palm, becoming the first film directed by a woman to win the award. Sciamma also won the award for Best Screenplay at Cannes in 2019.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is just one of our CNET experts’ favorite movies that’s available to stream now. You should also explore our full rundown of the best movies on Max, Netflix and Amazon Prime. Plus, stream our favorite horror double feature on Netflix.
A ripped NYPD detective who is becoming a social media sensation for his grueling nightly workouts wants to inspire police across the nation to get in shape.
Eddie Barrett, 35, known as “50Cal” to his hundreds of thousands of followers, recently told Fox News Digital he has never taken a day off from training in 21 years — and said there are no excuses for his colleagues to not be physically fit in the line of duty. (See the video at the top of this article.)
The married father wants his daily vlogs to show police officers that they can juggle work and family life while also making time for the gym.
JILLIAN MICHAELS REVEALS SIMPLE WORKOUT TO EXTEND YOUR LIFESPAN ‘UP TO 7 YEARS’
On his workdays, Barrett wakes up at midnight and heads outside for an ice bath.
He then drives an hour to the Bronx, where he works with the NYPD’s warrant department, a highly specialized unit that rounds up dangerous criminals wanted for serious crimes.
NYPD detective Eddie Barrett, pictured working out at the gym, said he has never taken a day off from training in 21 years.(Eddie Barrett/@50callabz)
But before Barrett punches in, the 6’1″ detective hits the gym to pump iron and pound the treadmill.
He then works his regular police shift — from around 3:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — before driving home, spending quality time with his family and typically getting to sleep no later than 8 p.m.
“Getting my training in is of utmost priority — I’ve been doing this for 21 years.”
On weekends, Barrett gets up at around 3 a.m. and hits the ice bath before working out at his purpose-built home gym so he can free up the rest of the day for time with his family.
And if he’s on vacation, as he was recently in the Cayman Islands, Barrett will pound the sandy beaches in the dead of night with a torchlight strapped to his head — and that’s before his gym session.
Detective Barrett works out in the early morning hours before his police shift.((Edward Barrett/@50callabz))
“Getting my training in is of utmost priority — my wife thinks I’m crazy, people think I’m crazy, but I’ve been doing this for 21 years,” Barrett told Fox News Digital.
“And it not only sets the standard for the day, especially first thing in the morning, but it’s just become who I am. It’s just me. No matter where I am, what time I gotta wake up, or whatever I have going on — I will train.”
Inspiring others
Barrett uploads daily videos of his morning routine and workouts to social media, offering words of motivation to his loyal followers.
His goal is to inspire others — police in particular — to get in shape so they can be faster and stronger.
STAY FIT IN YOUR 40S AND BEYOND WITH THESE SMART WORKOUT TIPS
“If [a suspect] wants to run or wants to fight, they will lose, because you’ve trained hard to be at a higher level than them,” Barrett told Fox News Digital. “We’ve got to constantly work for that, because that can decide whether we go home safe or if we get hurt or God forbid something worse happens.”
Said Barrett recently on Instagram in a video that shows him doing sprints before work, “Think you can run from the warrant squad? Think again.”
Barrett uploads daily videos of his morning routine and workouts to social media, offering words of motivation to his loyal followers.(Eddie Barrett/@50callabz)
Barrett said he recommends hybrid training, a fitness approach that involves integrating strength training with cardiovascular exercises.
The detective often mixes extremely heavy weight-lifting with long or short runs, as well as high-intensity workouts.
While Barrett said he doesn’t expect other first responders to mimic his stringent routine, he emphasizes the importance of finding the time to be fit for duty. He noted that some police agencies are lowering fitness standards to help plug recruitment gaps.
“You want to have an appearance and a level of confidence in your fitness that demands respect and that always plays in your favor,” Barrett added.
NYPD detective Barrett, also known as 50 Cal, is pictured with wife Sierra and son Henry. He said balancing family, work and fitness is very important to him. (Eddie Barrett/ @50Cal)
Getting out of bed early is less complicated than people think, according to Barrett.
“Some days are harder than others, right? You just can’t give yourself a second option ever,” he said. “We know what we have to do in life. And life is very short. The days fly by.”
He added, “We have to be the best versions of ourselves, and there’s so much to accomplish in life … And if you don’t give yourself that second option, there is no snooze button. There is no scrolling on social media.”
“We know what we have to do in life. And life is very short.”
The detective does some “mind tricks” in the morning to help him get up, like counting down from three or saying a short prayer.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“Get your mind going. It makes you think. It makes your brain function. You get that cool plunge. You do things that are difficult first thing in the morning, and before you know it, you’re rocking and rolling,” Barrett said.
Family tradition
Barrett said his goal is to have a lifelong career on the force, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, who served as a police officer in New Jersey.
Today, Barrett proudly wears his grandfather’s police badge as a necklace.
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During the interview, Barrett’s young son, Henry, noted that he also wants to follow the family’s policing tradition.
“I feel like I live the best life. I really love my life and I tell people even in today’s crazy climate … being a cop is a great job,” Det. Barrett said. “I encourage everybody that’s thinking about it: Go for it.”
Barrett’s training regimen has helped him gain a large following on social media. (Edward Barrett, @50callabz)
The detective said his strict fitness discipline is what helps him balance his training, work and family life, as well as his own supplements business.
While he wants to sustain his fitness level for as long as possible, Barrett emphasized that family always comes first, and that he cherishes the support he gets from his wife and his father, who lives with them.
“The memories we gather with our families are the most important things in the world.”
“The memories we gather with our families are the most important things in the world,” Barrett said. “And recently, I’ve come to accept that business might not grow as fast, my fitness might not get to the level I want it to, because I would never sacrifice my time with my family.”
Barrett urged others, not just law enforcement members, to develop their own core principles and continue to work hard every day.
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“There’s so much out there for the taking in life, and if you don’t get out there and do it, life is just going to pass us all by,” he added.
“You’re going to be amazed at what you can accomplish.”
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
Did you know that fungus-infested strawberries are being repackaged and sold in the market? A video shared by Instagram influencer Urvashi Agarwal has raised serious concerns. In the clip, a group of men can be seen sitting on the floor in front of a pile of rotten, fungus-infested strawberries. In the background, Urvashi can be heard saying, “Dosto, dekhiye is video ko. Sadi, gali, gandi aur fungus-infested strawberries ko repackage karke bechne ki tayyaari ho rahi hai. [Friends, watch this video. Rotten, spoiled, dirty, and fungus-infested strawberries are being repackaged for sale.]”
Also Read: Viral Now: Food Pharmer Reveals He Helped Sudha Murty For Research On Food Adulteration
The influencer added, “Aur shaklo ki taraf dekhiye. Has rahe hai yeh log jaise koi mazaak chal raha hai. Public health ke saath besharmi se kuch paiso ke liye khel rahe hai. [And just look at their faces – they are laughing as if it is some kind of joke. Shamelessly playing with public health just for some money.]”
The text attached to the post read, “Food vendors are repackaging old, rotten and fungus-infested strawberries and selling them as fresh. This is not just unethical but a serious health risk. For a little extra money, they are putting people’s health in danger.”
Also Read: 5 Easy Food Adulteration Tests You Can Perform At Home, As Shared By Food Authority
The video has sparked outrage, with people calling for stricter food safety measures.
A user wrote “Oh God!! Adulteration has not left any food item.”
Another one added, “They sell it to shake sellers.”
“There should be more people like you to create awareness,” read a comment.
Someone said, “Never buy food from street vendors esp at traffic signals, also strawberries are highly sprayed with pesticides!!!”
Many commented, “Yeh bohot galat hai. [This is very wrong.]”
How can contaminated food be bad for health?
Eating contaminated food can seriously mess with your health. It can have bacteria, viruses, or harmful chemicals that lead to food poisoning, stomach infections, or even long-term issues. One might end up with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or a bad stomachache. In worse cases, it can cause serious diseases like typhoid, hepatitis, or foodborne infections. Sometimes, chemicals or pesticides in food can lead to problems like allergies or organ damage over time. That is why it’s super important to eat fresh food and avoid anything that looks or smells off.
China firmly opposes the politicization and weaponization of economic and trade issues, or using them as a tool, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng told visiting U.S. Senator Steve Daines in Beijing on Saturday.
China is willing to engage in candid dialogue with the United States on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, He said.
Noting that there are extensive common interests and vast potential for cooperation between the two sides, he said China and the United States can become partners and friends and achieve mutual success and shared prosperity to benefit both countries and the world at large, he added.
Daines, for his part, said U.S.-China relations are of great importance, and both sides should enhance dialogue. He expressed his willingness to contribute more tangible efforts in the regard.
The U.S. Republican senator reportedly arrived in Beijing on Thursday.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu met with Daines on Friday. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on China-U.S. relations and issues of mutual concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
At a daily press briefing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China welcomes the visit by individuals from all sectors of the United States, including members of Congress.
China consistently believes that the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations serves the common interests of the two peoples and meets the universal expectation of the international community, said Mao.
Two songwriters had filed a $20 million lawsuit accusing her of infringing on their copyright of a song with the same name: “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Senior housing segment within the real estate sector which has long struggled to gain mainstream acceptance is now gradually becoming more viable, presenting an opportunity for comapanies, according to a report by GRI Club.
“Senior housing is another niche segment that has long struggled to gain mainstream acceptance but is now gradually becoming more viable,” the GRI club said, which connects real estate leaders across the globe. The report says that urbanisation is changing India’s cultural emphasis on multigenerational living which limits the demand for dedicated senior communities. However, the report highlights that the operational intensity and long-term service management requirements make it a difficult segment for developers to scale effectively.
Read also: Omaxe to invest ₹400 crore to develop two commercial projects in Faridabad
The report says that the real estate developers are now integrating senior living components into larger mixed-use developments, where independent senior residences are co-located with healthcare facilities, recreational amenities, and family housing, creating a more attractive and sustainable model. Going further, the report highlights the opportunity in the co-living segment, adding that growing demand for co-living and rental housing, particularly among young professionals in urban centres, has been a key trend shaping the market.
“Although the sector initially gained traction between 2017 and 2019 before facing disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising workforce mobility and affordability challenges are once again driving interest in flexible living solutions,” the report added. As per the report, the co-living model in the country is still underdeveloped, with investors looking cautious about the low yields, operational complexities and market fragmentation.
Read also: Embassy inks pact to divest 25 acres in Bengaluru to Lam Research for ₹1,125 cr
“While demand is evident, institutional players remain hesitant to commit at scale due to property management challenges and uncertain long-term returns,” the report added. The report pointed out that the branded residences, particularly those linked to global hospitality groups, are also emerging as a prestige-driven housing segment, combining hotel-like amenities, concierge services, and the reputations of renowned luxury brands to attract HNWIs seeking exclusivity, convenience, and a service-oriented living experience.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
TRAPERICE su klasik koji nikad ne izlazi iz mode, ali ove sezone denim ide korak dalje. Umjesto da bude samo osnova outfita, traper je postao glavna zvijezda – nosi se od glave do pete. Traper na traper look apsolutni je hit, a društvene mreže preplavljene su upravo takvim kombinacijama.
Posebno se istaknuo jedan komplet iz Manga koji je osvojio djevojke. TikTok je prepun videa s ovim outfitom, a oduševljenje ne jenjava. Stoga ne čudi da je jakna već planula – no traperice su još uvijek dostupne.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
“Treba mi taj set”
Komentari ispod videa sve govore. “Odlično izgleda”, “Vau”, “Treba mi taj set”, “Opsjednuta sam”, “Volim ovaj set”, “Traper set je za umrijeti”, “Odmah sam otvorila Mango aplikaciju.”
Komplet se sastoji od kratke baloner jakne s remenom i traperica visokog struka sa širokim nogavicama. Kao što smo već spomenuli, jakna je trenutačno rasprodana, ali možete se prijaviti za dobivanje obavijesti kada ponovno stigne na stanje. Traperice su još uvijek dostupne u pojedinim veličinama. Cijena jakne je 70 eura, a traperica 46 eura.
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There was less than a second left in the first quarter when LeBron James went to the sideline to inbound the ball. Sensing a moment to get the hottest player in the building, Luka Doncic, one more shot, the Lakers rushed their new star into the game.
Doncic hustled to the scorer’s table, unwrapping the heat pack from his lower back, unsnapping his warmup pants and zipping off his jacket.
James then fired the ball down the floor. But instead of it finding Doncic or any Lakers player, it badly curved toward the courtside seats, a screwball turnover in a game littered with mistakes.
Doncic, the player the Lakers acquired to fix their narrow operating margins, scored with ease Saturday night, making three-pointers from all over the court. He finished with 34 points, a carryover from a multi-week stretch of dominant offense.
But everyone else? Back at full strength with James and Rui Hachimura playing for the first time in two weeks, the team looked like a group of strangers, badly beaten 146-115 by a Chicago team nine games under .500.
It was the most points the Lakers allowed this season.
And Doncic was far from perfect, all of his shot-making undone by seven turnovers and a disengaged defensive performance that helped the Bulls run away.
In the first half, the Lakers (43-27) were slow-footed, maybe a tax they needed to pay playing in their seventh game in 10 days. Their effort against Coby White in the first quarter was lacking, the Bulls guard quickly catching fire and matching Doncic bucket for bucket.
The Bulls (31-40) made 78.6% of their two-point shots in the first half, the Lakers’ defense providing no resistance. They didn’t stop Chicago at the rim. They didn’t stay in front of them on the perimeter. And once they got caught in rotations after switching, the Lakers moved like they had cement in their sneakers.
The Lakers’ overall effort ticked up in the second half. The bad news? Somehow the defense was even worse, the Bulls scoring 81 points as they began to make shots from all over the court.
White finished with 36 and rookie Matas Buzelis had 31 points for Chicago. Josh Giddey nearly recorded a quadruple-double for the Bulls, finishing with 15 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds and eight steals. The Bulls had seven players with at least 12 points and an eighth who scored nine.
James, in his first game after missing two weeks with a groin strain, looked badly out of rhythm on both sides of the court. He scored 17 but turned it over five times. Austin Reaves had 25 but couldn’t help the Lakers get stops. And Hachimura, limited to 18 minutes, looked out of sorts off the bench and only scored five points.
The Lakers play the Orlando Magic on the road Monday.
Nokia today disclosed the findings of its annual Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT). According to the reports, it saw a three-fold year-on-year increase in 5G data traffic across India in 2024. The report provides a complete overview of mobile broadband trends in India. It shows how 5G technology is being quickly adopted due to its wide availability, reliable connections, and increasing number of compatible devices.
Tarun Chhabra, Senior Vice President and Country Head, of Nokia India, said, “Nokia has been at the center of India’s mobile broadband revolution and is driving 5G deployment with cutting-edge technology and deep partnerships. We look forward to continuing this journey through deepening relationships with operator partners to meet the ever-increasing demand for connectivity.”
According to the report, the main contributors to this growth are Class B and C circles where 5G data consumption is increasing by 3.4 times and 3.2 times respectively. The expansion of the 5G network in these circles has been the major factor behind their growth. The contribution of 5G data usage in metro circles to the total mobile broadband data has reached 43 per cent from 20 per cent in 2023, while the growth of 4G data is slowing down.
The report also unveiled that the average monthly data consumption per user will increase to 27.5 gigabytes in 2024, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5 over the last five years. The continued growth of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is accelerating this data usage with FWA users consuming up to 12 times more data than the average mobile data user due to new services in residential and business settings.
The 5G device ecosystem continues to grow rapidly in India where the number of active 5G devices is expected to double year-on-year to 27.1 crore in 2024. With nearly 90 percent of smartphones expected to be 5G capable by 2025, this trend is likely to advance further.
Based on current trends, the Nokia MBiT Index estimates that total 5G data traffic will surpass 4G data traffic by the first quarter of 2026. In addition, the emergence of 5G in the advanced direction is expected to increase the business opportunities that will lead to service gaps, generate new sources of IK and reduce costs through prudent operations.
The capabilities of 5G Advanced will serve as a foundation for the move towards 6G, which will open up possibilities for future applications such as distributed computing services, AI-driven intelligence, and spatial and temporal sensing, and enhance connectivity and localisation.
As spring arrives in Kashmir, the Badamwari Garden, also known as Badam Vaer in Srinagar, is witnessing a surge in visitors, drawn by the breathtaking bloom of almond trees.
Step into a fairytale: Kashmir’s Badamwari Garden is in full bloom!(Image by X/JandKTourism)
Located at the foothills of Hari Parbat Fort, the garden transforms into a floral paradise, with its fragrant almond blossoms creating an enchanting spectacle.
The serene ambience, coupled with cultural landmarks like the Hazrat Makhdoom Sahib shrine and Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi in the vicinity, makes it a favoured destination for both tourists and locals.
To enhance its appeal, the floriculture department has planted lavender trees, aiming to create a theme garden that will further boost tourism in the coming years.
Almond trees are among the first to bloom in Kashmir, typically flowering from mid-March to mid-April. During this period, the garden is enveloped in a captivating fragrance, making it a prime attraction for nature lovers and photographers.
The sight of multicoloured blossoms against the backdrop of the historic fort provides an unmatched experience, and many visitors spend hours enjoying the serene atmosphere.
Recognising its growing popularity, the Department of Floriculture has undertaken initiatives to enhance its charm.
Thousands of lavender trees have been planted on the upper side of the garden, and plans are underway to develop it into a theme garden. This move is expected to attract even more visitors in the future, adding a new dimension to the garden’s appeal.
As spring unfolds, Badam Vaer continues to be a symbol of Kashmir’s natural beauty and cultural richness, offering an unparalleled experience to those who seek solace amidst blooming almond orchards.
The arrival of spring in Kashmir captivates both tourists and locals as the valley transforms into a breathtaking spectacle of vibrant flowers and refreshing fragrances.
Currently, a large number of tourists are flocking to the site, capturing the beauty of the blossoms through photography and spending extended periods amidst its serene surroundings.
Badam Vaer offers an ideal escape for those seeking solace in nature. To enhance its appeal further, the Department of Floriculture has recently planted thousands of lavender trees on the garden’s upper side, with plans to develop it into a themed garden.
This initiative is expected to draw even more visitors in the coming years, adding to the garden’s charm and prominence as a must-visit destination in Srinagar.
New Sims rival InZOI is giving players the chance to sample part of the game for free ahead of the early access release.
The InZOI Creative Studio lets players create their own character (Zoi) and design a home. It made its debut on March 20, but only for fans who received a code by watching a stream.
Publisher Krafton is now opening the Creative Studio up to all fans, meaning you can download and enjoy the creation tool simply by visiting the Steam Store and adding it to your library.
The InZOI Creative Studio has a March 23 release date and a midnight GMT release time for fans living in the UK.
InZOI will enter full early access on March 28, complete with three open-world environments to explore and customise.
Success in the game revolves around meeting the needs of your characters, including hunger, hygiene, bathroom, fun, social, energy, sleep, and recognition.
Players can also fully build and customise their environments, which includes creating your own furniture.
InZOI will cost $39.99 during Early Access (UK pricing is yet to be revealed), which includes all updates and downloadable content until it launches in full.
As for InZOI Creative Studio, the demo has been given a small update since March 20. You can check out the patch notes below.
InZOI Creative Studio patch notes…
Installation/Launch Issues
• Fixed an issue where launching the game on Intel integrated graphics cards with 128 MB VRAM will occasionally show an error message related to DirectX 12.
• The message “Insufficient video memory to run the game.” will now be displayed when video memory is insufficient.
• Fixed an issue where certain text would not appear when the game language was set to Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, or Japanese.
• Fixed an issue where the game could not be saved if the save file name was not entered.
• Fixed an issue where the “Canvas Under Construction” page would occasionally appear on the lobby tablet.
• Fixed an issue where physical memory and the page file would be rapidly consumed due to sudden spikes in usage.
• Fixed an issue where unsupported resolutions were being applied in windowed mode.
• Fixed an issue where unnecessary large files were being uploaded along with creations on Canvas.
Build Studio Issues
• Fixed an issue where players could control the Zoi character outside of Build Mode under certain conditions.
• Fixed an issue where the data could not be saved when selecting “Save and Exit”.
• Fixed an issue where 3D objects would not retain their appearance when returning to the last saved property.
• Adjusted certain property presets.
• Fixed an issue where the “Needs” and “Skills” pop-ups would appear immediately upon entering Build Studio.
• Fixed an issue where the UI would occasionally disappear when uploading to Canvas.
• Fixed an issue where pressing ESC while using the 3D Printer would turn off lighting effects, resulting in a dark screen.
Character Studio Issues
• Fixed an issue where a Zoi’s torso would disappear when opening 3D Printer Decorations with all outfits hidden.
• Fixed an issue where the chin gizmo appeared far from the chin during facial customisation.
• Fixed an issue where the torso would disappear during certain steps on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti systems.
• Fixed an issue where wristwatch accessories displayed overlapping textures.
The flagship Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has been given another price increase, but the V8-powered pickup’s equipment list is unchanged.
General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) now lists the off-road focused Silverado 1500 ZR2 at $141,500 before on-road costs, a $3500 increase on its most recent price, and up $8500 on this time last year.
Pricing for the entry-level, road-oriented Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium is unchanged at $130,500 before on-road costs.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Silverado 1500 ZR2
The Silverado is now the only V8-powered pickup on sale in Australia, after local pricing for the twin-turbo straight-six Ram 1500 was announced this week – though runout models of the Hemi V8 model are still available.
Both the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra are powered by turbocharged V6 engines.
A range of accessories and packages are also available for the Silverado 1500, with pricing included at the bottom of this article.
Pricing
Model
Price before on-road costs
2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium
$130,500
2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2
$141,500 (up $3500)
Drivetrains and Efficiency
There’s just one engine offered here, though in its home market the Silverado can be had with smaller V8 and turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
Specifications
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Engine
6.2L V8
Power
313kW
Torque
624Nm
Transmission
10-speed torque-converter automatic
Drive type
Full-time four-wheel drive
Fuel type
91-octane unleaded petrol
Fuel consumption
12.9L/100km (LTZ Premium) 14.5L/100km (ZR2)
Fuel tank capacity
91L
Dimensions
The Silverado 1500 is offered in a single dual-cab body style in Australia.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ZR2
Length
5931mm
5931mm
Width
2086mm
2074mm
Height
1930mm
1991mm
Wheelbase
3745mm
3748mm
Tare mass
2543kg
2525kg
Unbraked towing capacity
750kg
750kg
Braked towing capacity
3500kg (50mm ball) 4500kg (70mm ball)
3500kg (50mm ball) 4200kg (70mm ball)
Downball
350kg (50mm ball) 422kg (70mm ball)
350kg (50mm ball) 400kg (70mm ball)
Payload
757kg
717kg
Gross vehicle mass (GVM)
3300kg
3300kg
Gross combined mass (GCM)
6851kg
7160kg
Servicing and Warranty
The Chevrolet Silverado is covered by a three-year, 100,000 kilometre warranty.
Silverado 1500 LTZ
Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 12,000km, whichever comes first. GM Specialty Vehicles doesn’t offer capped-price servicing.
Safety
The Chevrolet Silverado hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
Six airbags
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane-keep assist
Adaptive cruise control
Surround-view camera
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring system
The Silverado 1500 ZR2 only has rear parking sensors as the front parking sensors aren’t compatible with its front bumper.
Standard Equipment
Two variants continue to be offered locally.
The Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium comes standard with the following equipment:
20-inch alloy wheels
All-terrain tyres
Rancho Twin Tube shock absorbers
LED reflector headlights
Automatic high-beam
LED tail lights
Cargo bed LED light
Dual active sport exhaust
Z71 skid plates
Chrome exterior highlights
Chrome side steps
Power up and down tailgate
Power sliding rear window
Power sunroof
Spray-on bedliner
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Head-up display
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Wireless phone charger
Seven-speaker Bose premium sound system
Dual-zone climate control
Proximity entry and push-button start
Rear camera mirror
Power tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
Black leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front seats
10-way electric adjustable front seats
Heated outboard rear seats
Tow bar and 12-pin wiring harness
Electric trailer brake controller
Automatic trailer light test
GCM alert
ZR2 interior
The Silverado 1500 ZR2 loses the front parking sensors and up function for the power tailgate, but adds:
18-inch alloy wheels
Goodyear Wrangler mud-terrain tyres
Full-size spare wheel
Multimatic DSSV dampers
Enhanced two-speed transfer case
Electric locking front and rear differentials
Black exterior highlights
ZR2 skid plates
Front recovery hooks
Jet Black and Greystone leather-appointed upholstery
Options
The $3032 Black Pack (excluding fitment and GST) for the Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium adds:
High-gloss black 20-inch wheels
Black badging
Tinted weathershields
The $4192 Terrain Pack (excluding fitment and GST) for the ZR2 adds:
Soft tonneau cover
Black sports bar
Rocker protectors
Black tailgate lettering
Tinted weathershields
If you have the accessories installed by an authorised GMSV dealer while your vehicle is under warranty, they’ll be covered by the balance of the new vehicle warranty, or 24 months/50,000km from the date of fitment.
Colours
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, depending on the variant, is available in the following exterior paint colours:
Black
Dark Ash metallic
Summit White
Sterling Grey metallic
Glacier Blue metallic
Radiant Red tintcoat
Iridescent Pearl tricoat
Lakeshore Blue metallic
Slate Grey
Red Hot (ZR2 only)
All finishes except Summit White and Red Hot incur a $1250 premium.
MORE: Everything Chevrolet Silverado 1500 MORE: Chevrolet Silverado gets stylish and blacked-out accessory packages
Small entrepreneurs can secure MSME loans by maintaining good credit, organizing financial records, exploring government schemes, having a clear business plan, and a repayment strategy.
Here are five simple, actionable steps that can improve your chances of getting a suitable MSME loan.
For a small entrepreneur, securing a loan can be intimidating, in terms of documentation and other lengthy processes However, if you are well-prepared and proactive in your approach, it reduces the complications and your chances to get credit. Small changes in how you present your business can make a huge difference in how lenders evaluate your application. As an MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise) owner, it’s crucial to understand what lenders are looking for, and how you can make your case stronger. That way, your chance of receiving credit improves and so does your loan eligibility.
Here are five simple, actionable steps that can improve your chances of getting a suitable MSME loan. These tips will strengthen your loan application and help you get the funding your business deserves.
Maintain a Robust Credit History
Your credit score is one of the first things lenders will examine. Your credit score vouches for your reliability and debt management ethic. A score over 650 makes you a low-risk borrower. However, the credit score is not the end of the world and lenders consider applications with lower scores provided you have a solid reason for the same. Monitor your credit report regularly and examine it for opportunities and errors. Get the errors rectified and leverage any opportunities where you can improve the score by paying off small outstandings, etc. With some diligence, you’ll find that improving your credit history can go a long way in securing loan approval.
Organise Your Financial Records
Cashflow management is critical to business success and lending institutions attach high weightage to it. A positive cash flow indicates that your business can generate sufficient revenue to justify the operating expenses that include debt servicing expenses. If your business has a positive cash flow, leverage it by keeping updated books of accounts. Many NBFCs and fintechs have mastered cashflow-based lending, making it easier for MSMEs and underserved businesses to access the right financial solutions. This approach ensures credit reaches to the last mile and underserved sectors. Clear and consistent cash flow records will highlight your business’ financial health. Additionally, regular filing of financial statements, including income tax returns, balance sheet, etc., would help you score more points for staying compliant.
Take professional help if organising these feels overwhelming. Having clear and well-prepared financial records reassures lenders about your business’ financial stability. Also, it can go a long way in convincing them that you actually mean business!
Explore Government Schemes
The Indian government has launched several schemes to make it easier for MSMEs to access funding.
Programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) and the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) are designed to facilitate extension of loans at lower interest rates and with flexible eligibility criteria. These schemes can make the loan application process much easier for small businesses, especially for ones that are seeking collateral-free credit. By researching and applying for these government-backed schemes, you can increase your chances of obtaining credit.
Have a Clear Business Plan
Think of your business plan as the blueprint for your business’ future. Lenders aren’t just giving you money, they are investing in your vision. A clear, well-thought-out business plan is one of the best ways to show them you know where you’re headed and how you plan to get there. Your business plan doesn’t have to be a huge document, but it should be detailed enough to cover your business goals, strategies, and loan repayment strategy. Having a strong plan in place gives lenders confidence in your ability to succeed, which could make all the difference when you apply for funding.
Create A Repayment Strategy
Wherever possible, during the application process, show the lender that you have a plan in place to repay the loan. Demonstrating a well-thought-out repayment strategy can improve your chances of getting credit. It will motivate the lending institution to place faith in your business.
Your repayment strategy should comprise of a detailed timeline of your sources of earning surplus to service the loan. For instance, if you have secured a big contract that will enhance your cash flows, mention it to the lender. Similarly, if you are in a retail business and are expecting a robust festival season due to certain favourable factors, express the same to your lender. A possibility to prepay or having a secondary source of income can also work in your favour. Ensure that your repayment strategy is realistic and achievable based on your current financial standing. It reduces the loan provider’s perception of risk.
The above tips can help you access credit and make your application stronger. With diligent preparation and focused effort, you can obtain the funding that will enable your business to grow and thrive.
By Monika Kapoor, Chief Business Officer – Intermediary Business, UGRO Capital
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
News business MSME Loans Made Easy: 5 Steps To Secure Funding For Your Business
Amid the ongoing bearish market sentiment, Shiba Inu (SHIB), the popular and world’s second-largest meme coin, is gaining immense attention from whales and long-term holders.
Whale Eyes on SHIB
Data from the on-chain analytics firm IntoTheBlock revealed that SHIB has witnessed a significant 2,025% surge in large holder inflows, indicating heightened interest in the meme coin.
Source: IntoTheBlock
This suggests a potential bottom for SHIB, as whales tend to buy in large quantities during significant market corrections. Additionally, this significant jump in large-holder inflows further suggests potential buying opportunities, as exchanges have recently witnessed notable SHIB outflows, indicating that assets are moving from exchanges to cold wallets.
Current Price Momentum
With this massive participation and bullish activity, SHIB has registered an impressive gain of 2.50% in the past 24 hours and is currently trading near $0.00001288. However, during the same period, its trading volume dropped by 22%, indicating lower participation from traders and retail investors compared to the previous day.
This drop in trading volume appears to be due to high volatility, which seems to be causing confusion among traders and investors.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) Technical Analysis and Upcoming Levels
According to expert technical analysis, SHIB’s recent price surge suggests a breakout from a descending trendline that has acted as strong resistance since mid-January 2025. Additionally, the meme coin is currently near a crucial support level of $0.000012. With this recent breakout, the overall sentiment for SHIB appears to be shifting from broader bearishness to bullishness.
Source: Trading View
Based on recent price action and historical momentum, if SHIB surges and closes a daily or four-hour candle above the $0.0000132 level, there is a strong possibility it could rise by 50% to reach $0.0000203 in the coming days.
As of now, the meme coin is trading below the 200 Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on both the daily and four-hour time frames, indicating that SHIB is in a downtrend on both longer and shorter time frames.
Columbia University has agreed to changes demanded by the Trump administration as a precondition for restoring $400 million in federal funding the government pulled this month over allegations that the school tolerated antisemitism on campus.
The New York-based university, acquiescing to the demands in a memo released on Friday, laid out plans to ban face masks on campus, empower security officers to remove or arrest individuals, and place a new official in charge of the department that offers courses on the Middle East.
What Columbia would do with its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department was among the biggest questions facing the university as it confronted the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in government grants and contracts. The Trump administration had told the school to place the department under academic receivership for at least five years, taking control away from its faculty.
Academic receivership is a rare step taken by a university’s administrators to fix a dysfunctional department by appointing a professor or administrator outside the department to take over. It is unheard of for the U.S. government to make such a demand.
While Columbia, in its memo, stopped short of referring to a receivership, its move appeared to meet that demand. The school said it would appoint a new senior administrator to review curriculum and faculty to make sure they are balanced, and provide fresh leadership at the department.
Professor Jonathan Zimmerman, an education historian at the University of Pennsylvania and a “proud” graduate of Columbia, called it a sad day for the university.
“Historically, there is no precedent for this,” Zimmerman said. “The government is using the money as a cudgel to micromanage a university.”
Zimmerman said the White House actions have apparently already had a chilling effect on higher education because officials at other universities failed to band together and speak out.
Read: Now, universities in Trump’s crosshairs
The White House had yet to respond to Columbia’s memo as of Friday evening, and the status of the funding remained unclear.
The Ivy League university’s response is being watched by other universities that the administration has targeted as it advances its policy objectives in areas ranging from campus protests to transgender sports and diversity initiatives.
Private companies, law firms and other organizations have also faced the prospect of cuts in government funding and business unless they agree to adhere more closely to President Donald Trump’s priorities. Powerful Wall Street law firm Paul Weiss came under heavy criticism on Friday over a deal it struck with the White House to escape an executive order imperiling its business.
The administration has warned at least 60 other universities of possible action over alleged failure to comply with federal civil rights laws related to antisemitism.
But Columbia has come under particular scrutiny, following the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that roiled its campus last year, when its lawns filled with tent encampments and noisy rallies against the U.S. government’s support of Israel.
Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives last year criticized at least two professors of Palestinian descent working in Columbia’s Middle Eastern studies department for their comments about the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
ARREST POWERS
Among its the outlined changes, the school has hired three dozen special officers who have the power to arrest people on campus and has revised its anti-discrimination policies, including its authority to sanction campus organizations, the memo said.
Face masks to conceal identities are no longer allowed, and any protesters must now identify themselves when asked, the memo said.
The school also said it is searching for new faculty members to “ensure intellectual diversity.” Columbia plans to fill joint positions in the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies and the international affairs school in an effort to ensure “excellence and fairness in Middle East studies,” the memo said.
The sudden shutdown of millions of dollars in federal funding to Columbia University this month was already disrupting medical and scientific research at the school, researchers said.
Scientists and doctors who were awarded grants by the National Institutes of Health after months or years of work described receiving unusual notices by email last week saying their projects were terminated because of “unsafe antisemitic actions.”
Canceled projects included the development of an AI-based tool that helps nurses detect the deterioration of a patient’s health in hospital two days earlier than other early warning systems.
The administration also canceled funding for a study designed to improve the safety of blood transfusion therapies for adults, children and newborns, and research on uterine fibroids, non-cancerous tumors that can cause pain and affect women’s fertility.
What is the best internet provider in Portland, Maine?
Spectrum is CNET’s top choice for the best overall internet provider in Portland. We recommend it as the go-to ISP in town because it offers gigabit speeds, reliable service and is available to 88% of Portland residents. Plans start at $30 and go up to $70 for the gig plan. For Portland residents who need a little more speed, Fidium Fiber is a good option, offering multi-gigabit plans.
If you’re looking for the lowest prices or fastest speeds, Fidium Fiber is also the best option. On the cheaper end, it offers a 100 megabits per second plan for $20 monthly and if you need speed, it has a 2-gigabit (2,000Mbps) tier, too.
Best internet in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine, internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
Fidium Fiber
Fiber
$20-$65
100-2,000Mbps
None
None
None
N/A
Spectrum
Cable
$30-$70
100-1,000Mbps
Modem free; $10 for router (optional)
None
None
7.2
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans)
87-415 Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Show more (0 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Portland, Maine
RedZone Wireless: RedZone Wireless is available to nearly 92% of residents in Portland and runs $99 a month for 4G/5G high-speed internet.
TK Networks: TK Networks offers speeds of up to 500Mbps, with packages starting at $59 monthly for the 50Mbps service and topping off at $129.
Satellite internet: Satellite internet is available at almost every address in the country. However, it’s not always the best option because of slower speeds and the two-year contract commitments required by HughesNet and Viasat. An intriguing option is Starlink, which has unlimited data and no contract requirement, but there’s a hefty upfront cost of nearly $349 for its equipment.
Anna Gorin/Getty Images
Cheap internet options in Portland, Maine
If you’re searching for the cheapest internet plan in Portland, Fidium Fiber offers a 100Mbps plan for $25 a month. If you don’t have access to those fiber plans, Spectrum Advantage is only $30 monthly.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Portland, Maine?
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
Fidium Fiber
$20
100Mbps
None
Spectrum Advantage Read full review
$30
100Mbps
Modem free; $10 for router (optional)
Fidium Fiber
$25
300Mbps
None
Spectrum Premier Read full review
$50
500Mbps
Modem free; $10 for router (optional)
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans)
318Mbps
None
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Portland, Maine
The best internet deals and top promotions in Portland, Maine, will depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we check frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Portland, Maine, internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. You can also bundle with a phone plan to get additional savings. Other providers, including Fidium Fiber and T-Mobile, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Portland, Maine, broadband?
Everyone in Portland has access to at least 100Mbps, according to the FCC. Ookla data puts Portland’s median download speed at a healthy 287Mbps, higher than the US median of approximately 274Mbps. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Those numbers can be attributed to the broad availability of Spectrum’s cable broadband connections and Fidium Fiber’s multi-gig internet plans.
Fastest internet plans in Portland, Maine
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Contract
Fidium Fiber 2 Gigs
$75
2,000Mbps
2,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Fidium Fiber 1 Gig
$55
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review
$70
1,000Mbps
35Mbps
None
Cable
Show more (0 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Portland, Maine
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Portland, Maine?
It all comes down to your needs as a household. If you’re an average internet consumer, your best bet for broadband providers is either Spectrum for fixed broadband or T-Mobile Home Internet for fixed wireless, 5G coverage. If you need symmetrical speeds for online gaming or remote work (or crave multigigabit speeds), your best option will be Fidium Fiber.
Internet providers in Portland, Maine FAQs
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Portland, Maine?
Fidium Fiber offers the cheapest plan in Portland, Maine, starting at just $20 monthly for 100Mbps.
Which internet provider in Portland, Maine, offers the fastest plan?
Fidium Fiber offers the cheapest plan in the area and features the fastest plan with its symmetrical 2Gbps tier.
Is fiber internet available in Portland, Maine?
Yes. Fiber is accessible to over half the households in Portland, Maine, according to the FCC, via Fidium Fiber.
What internet provider has the best coverage in Portland, Maine?
Apart from satellite internet, which covers 100% of the area, the greatest coverage belongs to the fixed wireless services of Viasat. It serves 99% of households in Portland, Maine.
Researchers are warning that men who regularly dodge prostate cancer screening appointments are 45% more likely to die from the disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths, according to UC San Francisco (UCSF).
But if screening programs are introduced on a national scale — particularly those that measure levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood — they could give men earlier access to treatment, experts say.
PROSTATE CANCER CASES SPIKE IN THIS US STATE AS DOCTORS SHARE LIKELY REASON
They would thus have a better chance of being cured, according to reporting by news agency SWNS and others.
Screening can also prevent costly treatments associated with advanced prostate cancer.
A new study examined the link between the consistent decline of men’s screenings and the risk of dying from prostate cancer. It reveals a “stark contrast” that emphasizes the potential consequences of screening avoidance.(iStock)
That’s according to data from the European Randomised Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC).
The study collects information from seven European nations — Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain. It is said to be the world’s largest prostate cancer screening study, said SWNS.
COMMON CANCER TYPE COULD BE DETECTED WITH NEW BLOOD TEST
Long-term data from this entity consistently shows that PSA screening programs can lead to a 20% reduced risk of dying from prostate cancer.
‘Stark contrast’
Now, an analysis of 20-year follow-up data from the ERSPC is the first to look at the link between the consistent decline of screening invitations and men’s risk of dying from this type of cancer.
It reveals a “stark contrast” that emphasizes the potential consequences of screening avoidance.
Of the 72,460 men invited to partake in screenings, around one in six were non-attenders and skipped every appointment.
Researchers from Erasmus MC Cancer Institute at the University Medical Centre in the Netherlands led the analysis, said SWNS.
Of the 72,460 men invited to partake in the screenings, around one in six were non-attenders and skipped every single appointment.
That group had a 45% higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared with those who attended screening appointments, according to the findings.
Choosing not to participate in screening is a choice that may be driven by a complex collection of factors, said one expert. (iStock)
When comparing outcomes with the control group – men who were never invited to have screenings – those who attended the screening appointments had a 23% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer, while non-attenders faced a 39% higher risk, SWNS reported.
Lead study author Renée Leenen, M.D., Ph.D., said the choice not to participate in screening may be driven by a complex collection of factors.
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Said Leenen, who is with the Erasmus CM Cancer Institute in the Netherlands, “It may be that men who opted not to attend a screening appointment are care avoiders — meaning they’re less likely to engage in healthy behaviors and preventative care in general.”
Experts “need to better understand who these men are, why they choose not to attend appointments and how to motivate them.”
She added, “This is the opposite behavior of people who are perhaps more health-conscious and are more likely to attend a screening appointment … Our study identifies that men who were invited for screening, but do not attend screening appointments, are at a significantly higher risk of dying from prostate cancer compared to men who were not offered screening or accepted an invitation for screening.”
Long-term data from this entity consistently shows that PSA screening programs can lead to a 20% reduced risk of dying from prostate cancer.(iStock)
Dr. Leenen said that experts “need to better understand who these men are, why they choose not to attend appointments and how to motivate them.”
Doing so, she added, “will help us design population-based prostate cancer screening programs that encourage higher rates of informed participation … Tackling attendance rates in this way could be a big factor in the long-term success of a national prostate screening program,” SWNS reported.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Urologist Tobias Nordström, M.D., Ph.D., of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said, “We need to better understand why these men might actively choose not to participate in screening, despite being invited to attend, and how this behavior is linked to worse outcomes when they get a diagnosis.”
The findings from the study are scheduled to be presented this weekend at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Madrid, Spain, said SWNS.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News’ senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel, who was not involved in the new study on prostate cancer risks, previously called out the need for regular medical screenings.
Siegel has emphasized the need to “diagnose it early for better outcomes.”
Angelica Stabile of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
From the crispiest dosa to the juiciest biryani, food lovers across India have spoken. The NDTV Food Awards 2025 brought together the best of India’s culinary world for a night dedicated to great food and innovation. A landmark event in the industry, this celebration put the spotlight on the chefs, restaurants, and food creators shaping the way we eat. From timeless classics to fresh ideas, the awards recognised those redefining India’s ever-evolving food scene. Held at JW Marriott Goa, the event gathered food lovers, top chefs, and industry experts to honour India’s rich and diverse culinary landscape. Whether it was fine dining, casual cafes, or sustainable food ventures, every corner of the food world was represented. But what set this year apart was the introduction of the Readers’ Choice Awards – categories open to public voting. These awards celebrated the country’s most-loved dishes, along with a special nod to digital food creators. The categories included Best Restaurant for Biryani, Best Restaurant for Momo, Best Restaurant for Dosa, Best Restaurant for Butter Chicken, Best Restaurant for Pizza, and Best Food Content Creator.
Here are some of the standout winners of the NDTV Food Readers’ Choice Awards:
1. Best Restaurant for Biryani Winner: Varq, Taj Mahal New Delhi
2. Best Restaurant for Momo Winner: Hot Pot Restaurant, Guwahati
3. Best Restaurant for Dosa Winner: Cafe Madras, Mumbai
4. Best Restaurant for Butter Chicken Winner: Chicken Inn, Gurugram
5. Best Restaurant for Pizza Winner: Queen Margherita’s Pizzeria, Mumbai
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Lim Boon Heng, chairman of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, in Beijing on Saturday.
He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that since the beginning of this year, China’s economy has maintained good recovery momentum.
China will open its doors wider to the outside world, and its business environment will get better and better, He said, noting that there will be broad space for deepened cooperation between China and Singapore.
“We welcome Temasek and other international investors to invest in China and share the huge market and development opportunities here,” He said.
For his part, Lim said that Temasek is as optimistic about China’s development prospects as always, and will continue to deepen its work in the Chinese market.
With a new location in Lower Manhattan — its first in America — Printemps is aiming to conquer an area where other luxury emporiums have recently failed.
Real estate company Omaxe will invest ₹400 crore to develop two new commercial projects in Faridabad, Haryana, to expand its business.
The two new projects will be part of its 120-acre mixed-use development named ‘World Street by Omaxe.’
The first commercial project, New Singapore is spread over 11.6 acre, comprising 15 lakh square feet of area, largely retail spaces, while the other project Clarkee, covering nearly 2 acre, will be developed as party and nightlife destination.
The projects are expected to be completed by 2029.
Read also: DLF to invest ₹20,000 cr in medium term to expand its commercial real estate biz
The total estimated cost to build these two projects is over ₹400 crore, Omaxe said, adding that this will be funded through internal accruals.
The company has launched around 700 units so far.
The rates in these two projects range between ₹4,000 per square feet to ₹10,000 per square feet.
Designed as Faridabad’s ultimate nightlife destination, Clarkee will host 15+ nightclubs, bars, and restaurants.
Omaxe Group Managing Director Mohit Goel said, “This expansion will bring a world-class retail and lifestyle experience that rivals top international destinations. Faridabad’s growing demand for premium commercial spaces makes this the perfect time to introduce a project of this scale and vision.”
Read also: Adani in advanced talks to acquire Emaar India for $1.4 billion, sources say
Established in 1987, Omaxe is one of India’s leading real estate developers.
Listed on the NSE and BSE in 2007, Omaxe has delivered about 135.84 million sq ft of real estate across 31 cities in 8 states.
Its diverse portfolio spans residential, commercial, and integrated township projects.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
KOREJSKA kozmetika već godinama ima vjernu publiku diljem svijeta, zahvaljujući inovativnim formulama, slojevitoj rutini njege i naglasku na zdrav, blistav ten. U posljednje vrijeme taj je trend dodatno ojačao – osobito na TikToku, gdje viralni videi posvećeni njezi kože proizvode nerijetko preko noći pretvaraju u bestsellere.
Na tržištu postoji mnoštvo K-beauty brendova, no jedan od onih koji se sve češće spominje među entuzijastima je Medicube. Riječ je o korejskom brendu koji naglasak stavlja na funkcionalne, klinički testirane formule, ali i na napredne uređaje za kućnu njegu kože.
Njihov Age-R Booster Pro, uređaj koji koristi mikrostruju, EMS i LED svjetlo kako bi potaknuo bolju apsorpciju aktivnih sastojaka i povećao elastičnost kože, već je pronašao put do brojnih korisnika i postao mnogima neizostavan. No u posljednje vrijeme u središtu pažnje našao se još jedan proizvod iz ponude brenda.
Kuglice koje podsjećaju na boba čaj
Deep Vita C Capsule Cream privukla je pažnju korisnika društvenih mreža zahvaljujući jedinstvenom izgledu koji podsjeća na boba kuglice iz popularnog boba čaja. U posudici se nalazi prozirna gel-kremasta baza u kojoj plutaju žućkaste kapsule nalik malim biserima. Upravo ta vizualna posebnost bila je jedan od razloga njezine viralnosti.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
No, prema tvrdnjama brenda, kapsule nisu tu samo zbog izgleda. Sadrže stabilizirani vitamin C, koji se aktivira tek pri nanošenju na kožu, što bi trebalo osigurati veću svježinu i bolju učinkovitost.
Prema Medicubeu, Deep Vita C Capsule Cream formulirana je za hidrataciju i posvjetljivanje kože, kao i za djelovanje na tamne mrlje, fine linije i beživotan izgled te poboljšanje ukupne teksture i elastičnosti kože. U kremi se nalaze:
Derivati vitamina C, za ujednačavanje tena i sjaj
Niacinamid (5%), za smanjenje vidljivosti pora i regulaciju sebuma
Ekstrakt pasjeg trna, bogat antioksidansima i nutrijentima
Ferulična kiselina i vitamin E, koji štite kožu od oksidativnog stresa i vanjskih utjecaja
Prema sastavu, može biti korisna i kod postupalnih mrlja koje ostaju nakon akni, ali nije namijenjena tretiranju strukturnih ožiljaka.
Prema brendu, pogodna je i za osjetljivu kožu
Ova kombinacija sastojaka, navode iz brenda, djeluje na poboljšanje teksture kože, smanjenje pigmentacija i vraćanje prirodnog sjaja. Krema je, prema navodima brenda, dermatološki testirana, ima neljepljivu i brzo upijajuću teksturu, te je prikladna i za osjetljivu kožu.
Za koje tipove kože?
Prema preporukama brenda, tekstura i sastav kreme mogu se prilagoditi različitim tipovima kože kombiniranjem prozirnog gela i kapsula u sljedećim omjerima:
Masna koža: 2 dijela gela + 1 dio kapsula – za laganiji osjećaj na koži i bolju kontrolu sjaja
Normalna i kombinirana koža: 1 dio gela + 1 dio kapsula – za uravnoteženu hidrataciju
Suha i osjetljiva koža: 1 dio gela + 2 dijela kapsula – za dubinsku hidrataciju i umirujuću njegu
Deep Vita C Capsule Cream trenutačno uživa pažnju na društvenim mrežama, ne samo zbog izgleda već i zbog sastava koji uključuje dobro poznate aktivne sastojke u jedinstvenom formatu. Čini se da je riječ o proizvodu koji je uspio spojiti atraktivnost s funkcionalnošću – što nije čest slučaj u svijetu viralne kozmetike.
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After two games in Japan, Shohei Ohtani is off to a great start, with a home run and a .375 batting average, and the Dodgers only have to pay him $2 million this season. Don’t worry about Ohtani making ends meet because I asked AI how much Ohtani will earn from endorsements in 2025? Their answer was $100 million. The Times’ Bill Shaikin later reported the same amount.
Vaughn Hardenberg Westwood
So the pro-Dodger L.A. Times is already deciding the Cy Young Award after a single pitching outing by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and two days into the Dodger season? Well, that will save us a lot of time watching Major League Baseball this year. I presume the Dodgers have also already won the World Series? On to football!
Henry A. Hespenheide Hermosa Beach
After one game and five innings of one-run baseball, The Times’ Dylan Hernández has proclaimed Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto a Cy Young Award candidate “if he can keep this up.”
I was waiting for his gushing about a potential 162-0 season for the Dodgers … but I guess he wanted to keep his expectations realistic.
Steve Kaye Oro Valley, Ariz.
To no one’s amazement, Shohei Ohtani homered triumphantly in the Tokyo Series. Of course he did. It’s only surprising that it took him all of eight at-bats.
Steven Ross Carmel
I’m not pretending to be a psychic or anything, but $5 says soon to be heard at Dodger Stadium will be the 1984 hit by Alphaville, “Big in Japan.”
Oppo has launched the Oppo F29 Pro 5G in India, accompanied by the standard Oppo F29 5G. Both smartphones come with AI LinkBoost Technology and Hunter Antenna Architecture to enhance signal strength. The devices also feature a 360-degree Armour Body and hold military-grade MIL-STD-810H-2022 certification. Notably, they support underwater photography and meet IP66, IP68, and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.
Oppo F29 5G, Oppo F29 Pro 5G: Price & availability
Oppo F29 5G:
8GB + 128GB – Rs 23,999
8GB + 256GB – Rs 25,000
Colours options:
Glacier Blue, Solid Purple
Pre-orders open, deliveries begin on March 27 Oppo F29 Pro 5G:
8GB + 128GB – Rs 27,999
8GB + 256GB – Rs 29,999
12GB + 256GB – Rs 31,999
Colours options:
Granite Black, Marble White
Pre-orders open, shipping starts on April 1
The devices will be available via Amazon, Flipkart, and Oppo’s official store. Buyers using SBI, HDFC, Axis, Bank of Baroda, or IDFC First Bank credit cards can avail up to 10% instant cashback and an additional 10% exchange bonus. No-cost EMI options of up to six months and zero down payment schemes for up to eight months are also available.
Oppo F29 5G, Oppo F29 Pro 5G: Features & specifications
Storage & RAM: Up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
Software: Android 15-based ColorOS 15.0
Cameras:
Rear: 50MP (Primary) + 2MP (Secondary)
Front: 16MP Selfie Camera
Pro variant: Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)
Base variant: Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS)
Both phones support 4K recording at 30fps and an underwater photography mode
Durability & Connectivity
The Oppo F29 5G series boasts IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. It also features a MIL-STD-810H-2022 drop-resistant certification and a 360-degree Armour Body for durability. AI LinkBoost Technology and Hunter Antenna Architecture ensure enhanced connectivity and signal strength.
With its premium features and durable build, the Oppo F29 series aims to deliver an enhanced user experience in the mid-range smartphone segment.
Flights at Britain’s Heathrow resumed late on Friday after a fire knocked out its power supply and shut Europe’s busiest airport for the day, stranding tens of thousands of passengers and causing travel turmoil worldwide.
A plane takes off, as smoke rises from an area of an electrical substation a day after it caught fire and wiped out power at Heathrow International Airport, near London, Britain, March 22, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso(REUTERS)
Heathrow said its teams worked tirelessly to reopen the world’s fifth-busiest airport after it was forced to close entirely after a huge fire engulfed a nearby substation on Thursday night, with travellers told to stay away.
The airport had been due to handle 1,351 flights on Friday, flying up to 291,000 passengers, but planes were diverted to other airports in Britain and across Europe, while many long-haul flights returned to their point of departure.
Heathrow said there would be a limited number of flights on Friday, mostly focused on relocating aircraft and bringing planes into London.
“Tomorrow morning, we expect to be back in full operation, to 100% operation as a normal day,” said Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye. “What I’d like to do is to apologise to the many people who have had their travel affected … we are very sorry about all the inconvenience.”
Police said that after an initial assessment they were not treating the incident as suspicious, although enquiries remained ongoing. London Fire Brigade said its investigations would focus on the electrical distribution equipment.
The closure not only caused misery for travellers but provoked anger from airlines, which questioned how such crucial infrastructure could fail.
The industry is now facing the prospect of a financial hit costing tens of millions of pounds, and a likely fight over who should pay.
“You would think they would have significant back-up power,” one top executive from a European airline told Reuters.
Heathrow’s Woldbye said back-up systems and procedures had worked as they should.
“This (power supply) is a bit of a weak point,” he told reporters outside the airport. “But of course contingencies of certain sizes we cannot guard ourselves against 100% and this is one of them.”
Asked who would pay, he said there were “procedures in place”, adding “we don’t have liabilities in place for incidents like this”.
British transport minister Heidi Alexander said the incident had been out of Heathrow’s control.
“They have stood up their resilience plans very swiftly and have been working in close collaboration with all the emergency responders and the airline operators,” she told reporters.
DIVERTED
Airlines including JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, Air India, Delta Air Lines, Qantas, United Airlines, IAG-owned British Airways and Virgin were diverted or returned to their origin airports in the middle of the night, according to data from flight analytics firm Cirium.
Shares in many airlines, including U.S. carriers, fell.
Aviation experts said the last time European airports experienced disruption on such a large scale was the 2010 Icelandic volcanic ash cloud that grounded some 100,000 flights.
While flights are restarting, it will be some time before all scheduled passenger services return to normal.
“We have flight and cabin crew colleagues and planes that are currently at locations where we weren’t planning on them to be,” said Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, the biggest carrier at Heathrow which had 341 flights scheduled to land there on Friday.
“Unfortunately, it will have a huge impact on all of our customers flying with us over the coming days.”
Britain’s Department for Transport said it had temporarily lifted restrictions on overnight flights to ease congestion.
Passengers stranded in London and facing the prospect of days of disruptions were scrambling to make alternate travel arrangements.
“It’s pretty stressful,” Robyn Autry, 39, a professor, who had been due to fly home to New York. “I’m worried about how much is it going to cost me to fix this.”
Prices at hotels around Heathrow jumped, with booking sites offering rooms for 500 pounds ($645), roughly five times the normal price levels.
A WAKE-UP CALL
Airline executives, electrical engineers and passengers questioned how Britain’s gateway to the world could be forced to close by one fire, however large.
Heathrow and London’s other major airports have been hit by other outages in recent years, most recently by an automated gate failure and an air traffic system meltdown, both in 2023.
Philip Ingram, a former intelligence officer in the British military, said Heathrow’s inability to keep operating exposed vulnerability in Britain’s critical national infrastructure.
“It is a wake-up call,” he told Reuters. “There is no way that Heathrow should be taken out completely because of a failure in one power substation.”
Willie Walsh, the head of the global airlines body IATA and a former head of British Airways, said Heathrow had once again let passengers down.
Heathrow said it had diesel generators and uninterruptible power supplies in place to land aircraft and evacuate passengers safely. Those systems all operated as expected. But with the airport consuming as much energy as a small city, it said it could not run all its operations safely on back-up systems.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said there were questions to answer about how the incident occurred and there would be a thorough investigation.
Sony is just days away from unveiling the PlayStation Plus games for April 2025.
The next wave of free PS4 and PS5 games will be unveiled at 3.30pm GMT UK time on the afternoon of March 26. Subscribers will be able to redeem the games less than a week later, on the morning of April 1.
Because of the way the dates fall, the April PS Plus games will be available all the way until May 6, which will give you plenty of time to redeem them.
With the PS Plus games available for a longer period of time, fans will be hoping for a strong line-up. Daily Express will be back this weekend with the latest predictions for April.
The 2025 games have been a bit hit and miss, featuring high-profile releases like Suicide Squad and Dragon Age, as well as titles like Payday 3, High on Life, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered.
The March 2025 free PS4 and PS5 games are headlined by Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which was a big surprise considering it only launched back in October.
Sony explains more: “Unite the Veilguard and defy the gods in this immersive single-player RPG where you become the leader others believe in.
“When a pair of corrupt ancient gods break free from centuries of darkness, the vibrant land of Thedas needs someone they can count on.
“Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight back and lead your team of seven companions, each with their own rich story. Together you will become The Veilguard.”
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is joined by SEGA 3D platform game Sonic Colours, which adds new abilities thanks to the introduction of Wisps.
Wisps give Sonic the ability to drill through the environment, launch into the air and jet through water.
Finally, fans have until April 1 to redeem Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, which contains 13 classic games.
“These retro nostalgia trips come with a range of new quality-of-life features, including online play for certain games and local couch play, the ability to save anytime and rewind, button mapping, unique development art & sketches, historic TMNT media content and more!”
No, your eyes don’t deceive you – this is an original ‘E1’ Porsche Cayenne you see before you.
While we focus on new cars here at CarExpert, Porsche Cars Australia threw us the keys to this very special first-generation 2003 Porsche Cayenne Turbo to showcase its Porsche Tequipment accessories range by Porsche Classic.
Some 22 years ago, this very vehicle was one of the first Cayenne Turbos to be sold through Porsche Centre Melbourne, bought by a fastidious owner who kept it maintained for 16 years at Porsche’s Australian head office site.
It was sold privately in 2019 to its second owner, also a client of Porsche Centre Melbourne, who then relocated with the vehicle to Queensland, where the vehicle continued to be maintained exclusively at Porsche Centre Brisbane.
Porsche Centre Melbourne was then contracted to create a classic off-road build, and this particular vehicle was sought out as a prime candidate, namely because of its full Porsche service history and rare options such as the tailgate-mounted spare wheel carrier.
Porsche Cars Australia says a minor restoration of this well-maintained example was conducted before it was turned into this bush-bashing show car, focusing on “the suspension, engine, and other perishable components to ensure the vehicle’s optimal performance”.
Furthermore, an 111-point inspection was also completed. All of this restoration and preparation work was completed by the Porsche Classic team at Porsche Centre Melbourne.
How does the Porsche Cayenne compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Porsche Cayenne against similarly sized vehicles.
Porsche
Cayenne
How much does the Porsche Cayenne cost?
Back in 2003, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo was priced at $203,400 before on-road costs, which equates to around $346,321 in today’s money accounting for inflation – not far off the Cayenne Turbo GT’s price in 2024 ($370,600).
If you were looking to recreate one of these builds, according to the classifieds you can get into an original Cayenne for as little as $6000-$8000, which frankly is quite a lot of car for the money.
Both the Cayenne and Cayenne Turbo were powered by V8 petrol engines, which as we’ll get to a little later makes for a smile-inducing experience behind the wheel… until you have to head to the petrol station.
Should you want the latest and greatest iteration of the Cayenne Turbo, you can get into the plug-in Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid from $297,600 before on-road costs for the conventional SUV body style, with the Cayenne Coupe Turbo E-Hybrid commanding nearly $10,000 more.
“Hybrid?! Boring!” you may say, but I’d argue a twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain outputting a whopping 544kW and 950Nm is hardly snooze-worthy – plus, it’ll scoot from 0-100km/h in a 911-rivalling 3.7 seconds on its way to a bahn-storming top whack of 295km/h.
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Porsche Cayenne like on the inside?
It’s certainly a step back in time, but this first-gen Cayenne’s interior has held up pretty well, all things considered.
The 7.0-inch Porsche Classic Communication Plus (inhales…) infotainment unit is a great way to modernise your old Cayenne, not only aesthetically but also with modern features like DAB+ digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It blends nicely with the original dashboard architecture and retains the typical Porsche look and feel with the interface. This also integrates with the multifunction steering wheel controls and reversing camera where applicable.
For the particular buyer like myself, who likes everything to look factory-spec, this $2924 upgrade goes a long way to lift the ambience and everyday useability of your old Cayenne (up to model year 2008).
However, the mapping function incorporated in this accessory is a third-party system which feels a little cheap, even if the original Porsche navigation system would have look dated by comparison. A small complaint, given most will be using smartphone mirroring anyway.
While Porsche Cars Australia openly admits this vehicle has had a ‘minor restoration’, it was nice to see most interior elements have stood up well over the last two decades – a credit to the previous owners.
Sure, there were a few squeaks here and there, and at times some of the actions of the switchgear felt like my aching joints, but if you didn’t know how old this car was you’d be surprised to hear it’s of 2004 vintage.
The leather trim on the front seats showed acceptable levels of wear and tear, and the trimmings all looked to be in good nick.
I also like the instrument cluster, which combines Porsche’s clean and classic analogue dials with a digitised central display with a couple of different menus – for 2004, that’s pretty schmick!
The rear seat of this family-sized five-seat SUV is good, even compared to today’s much bigger ‘large’ SUVs.
There’s more than enough space for two adults behind two adults, and there are amenities like a fold-down centre rear armrest and rear air vents.
Behind the second row is a 540-litre cargo area with the rear seats in use, expanding to 1770 litres with them folded. As you can see in the image below, our test vehicle had a boot liner and Maxtrax in the back.
There’s a full-size spare wheel mounted on the tailgate via the optional ‘fifth wheel carrier’. When new, a full-size 19-inch wheel in a rear-mounted carrier would have cost you a whole $4890(!).
Dimensions
2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Length
4786mm
Width
1928mm
Height
1699mm
Wheelbase
2855mm
Cargo capacity
540-1770 litres
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The original Cayenne Turbo spearheaded the performance SUV movement, and boasted some big performance claims for the time, including a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 266km/h!
Specifications
2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Engine
4.5L V8 twin-turbo petrol
Power
331kW at 6000rpm
Torque
620Nm at 2250-4750rpm
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drive type
All-wheel drive
0-100km/h (claimed)
5.6 seconds
Weight
2355kg – kerb
Fuel economy (claimed)
15.7L/100km
Fuel tank capacity
100 litres
Fuel requirement
95 octane premium unleaded
CO2 emissions
378g/km
Braked tow capacity
3500kg
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Porsche Cayenne drive?
I drove this special bush-basher for a couple of days in between Paul’s filming commitments and, boy, did I have some fun in it.
Where most modern SUVs – including the latest Cayenne – are getting increasingly car-like in their dynamic demeanour, this original Cayenne feels more old-school SUV than contemporary crossover.
Couple that big and solid feel with a rumbly twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet, and this Cayenne is a hoot to drive even if it’s a little bit silly.
It fires into life with a muted grumble, and retains that beastly vibe even in normal driving. The steering is a little heavy and you get a bit of noise off the all-terrain tyres, but it feels like a luxury tank.
Give it a bit of welly and the powertrain has a bit of an old-school boosty feel despite having two turbos, and it can take one or two moments before you rocket towards the horizon at full noise – and what a noise it makes.
This off-road-ready Cayenne turned out to be a little slower than its claim, which is understandable given the array of accessories fitted. Paul managed a 6.18-second 0-100km/h dash in the video up top, which is nevertheless as quick as many hot hatches.
Riding on optional air suspension, which can be adjusted to suit the terrain, this particular Cayenne Turbo’s ground clearance was further increased via the chunkier all-terrain tyres. In addition to adjustable ride height, the air springs afforded a pretty comfortable ride both in town and on the highway.
That helped a lot off the beaten tack, as Paul and I found out. The added traction from the all-terrain rubber, as well as the extra clearance and improved approach, departure and breakover angles, allowed it to ascend our gravel hill without much fuss, clear the offset moguls with ease and handle the boulder path with aplomb.
Some may be surprised by the built-in off-road capability the original Cayenne had as standard, thanks to a low-range transfer case and a centre differential lock for the rougher stuff.
Indeed, the first-generation Cayenne and the related Volkswagen Touareg were well regarded for their all-terrain ability, even if they weren’t quite as rugged as a Toyota LandCruiser or Range Rover.
It almost doesn’t feel right to get a car like this dirty and muddy, but there’s something satisfying about being able to conquer this kind of terrain in an expensive German luxury SUV, and to return home with a mud-plugged body as figurative battle scars.
One small problem was that the car would throw up an error message about the suspension or the 4WD system when scrambling up the gravel hill. Still, it managed to get up and would eventually sort out the electronic messages by itself.
Beyond the aforementioned off-road hardware, the MkI Cayenne was also available with a disconnectable sway bar, but our test vehicle didn’t appear to have this fitted.
Porsche quotes a lofty 273mm of ground clearance with the air suspension in its highest setting, complemented by approach and departure angles of 29.1 degrees and 25.7 degrees respectively – though this is for the standard Cayenne Turbo.
The first-generation Cayenne Turbo debuted a new four-wheel drive system for the Porsche brand called Porsche Traction Management (PTM), which offered variable torque distribution that defaulted to a 62:38 front/rear split.
However, Porsche claims the Cayenne could feed up to 100 per cent of torque to the front or rear when required. PTM also worked in conjunction with the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system, which incorporates driver aids like ABS, traction and stability control to ensure maximum grip without “restricting the thrill of sports motoring”.
Off-road dimensions
2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo*
Track front and rear
1647mm – front 1662mm – rear
Ground clearance
217mm – standard 273mm – maximum
Approach angle
29.1 degrees
Departure angle
25.7 degrees
Ramp breakover angle
20.4 degrees
*Quoted specifications are for the standard 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
Here’s a rundown of some of the Porsche Classic and Porsche Tequipment parts and accessories fitted to this Cayenne.
Porsche Roof Tent: $8705 (not pictured)
146 x 140 x 33cm – folded
258 x 257 x 118cm – unfolded
56kg – approx. weight
190kg – payload when stationary with rails
130km/h max speed with roof tent mounted
Roof Rack and Rails: $519 / $2463
Adventure Decal Set: $1359
18-inch Offroad Wheels (4): $3732
Stainless Steel Skid Plate: $885
Engine Guard: $449
Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus: $2924
7.0-inch touchscreen
DAB+ digital radio
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wired
Integrated USB interface
PCCM Plus navigation software for Australia: $422
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Porsche Cayenne safe?
No generation of the Porsche Cayenne has received an ANCAP safety rating, and only the most recent iteration has been tested by sister firm Euro NCAP.
It’s worth noting the first-generation Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 both scored five-star ratings when they were new, though that’s all the way back in the mid-2000s.
Safety standards in this era of motoring were a little different to today, with things like autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist generally unheard of unless you had something like a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Standard safety features include:
8 airbags
ABS
Parking sensors – front, rear
Stability control
Traction control
To see how the (new) Porsche Cayenne lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Porsche Cayenne
While at CarExpert we focus on ‘new’ cars, it’s pretty fascinating to revisit something like this first-generation Cayenne to see both how far the nameplate has come and also how a vehicle this old holds up some 20 years later.
Perhaps more relevant to the CarExpert audience is the fact that Porsche is willing to showcase its extensive ‘Classic’ accessories catalogue that supports an array of the brand’s older models.
Here in the Cayenne, the infotainment system retrofit brings modern multimedia tech that may be a turning point for buyers who want an older car but can’t live without smartphone mirroring, for example.
And the genuine off-road components join the Cayenne’s existing arsenal to expand its capabilities, and can be fitted by the same people who service your car.
Sure, it’s a more expensive way to do it, as are most retrofit OEM jobs. But, for the discerning Porsche owner wanting to hold onto their older vehicle and upgrade it without making it a Frankenstein of aftermarket parts, it presents a manufacturer-warranted route to do this.
The fact these first-generation Cayennes are such affordable used car buys right now could also make a very cool opportunity for someone to build their own luxury bush-basher with manufacturer-backed parts.
Interested in buying a (new) Porsche Cayenne? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Two-wheeler loans empower working women with mobility, independence, and financial flexibility. They enhance work-life balance, offer security, and open job opportunities.
Two-wheeler loans provide working women with the freedom and flexibility to balance work, family, and personal tasks.
In today’s fast-paced world, commuting can be a major challenge for working women. Public transport, while available, often lacks flexibility and reliability, making personal mobility a crucial factor in professional growth. Two-wheeler loans can be a game-changer for women in several ways. They help women in terms of empowerment, independence, and financial flexibility.
Why Two-Wheeler Loans Matter for Working Women
Two-wheeler loans provide working women with the freedom and flexibility to balance work, family, and personal tasks. Owning a vehicle empowers them to manage their day on their own terms, whether it’s commuting, staying late for work, or running errands, without the constraints of public transport.
Owning a two-wheeler enhances work-life balance, offering convenience, freedom, and career growth opportunities. It provides women with greater security, especially when traveling late or in areas where public transport may feel unsafe. This independence helps manage both family responsibilities and professional commitments more effectively.
Two-wheeler loans offer women financial control through affordable payments, enhancing mobility and opening doors to job opportunities, entrepreneurship, and the gig economy. This empowers women, supporting their independence, career growth, and entrepreneurial success.
Key Benefits of Two-Wheeler Loans for Women
Minimal Paperwork & Hassle-Free Process: Applying for a two-wheeler loan is quick and straightforward. Women need only provide essential documents such as identity proof, address verification, and income details.
Affordable Interest Rates: Lenders typically offer competitive interest rates making it easier for women across income brackets to afford a personal vehicle.
Longer Repayment Tenure: With repayment periods extending up to 60 months, women can comfortably manage their loan obligations alongside other financial commitments.
Eligibility & Required Documents
Who Can Apply?
Women aged 21 to 59 years
Salaried or self-employed professionals
Applicants with a stable income and a good credit score
Documents Needed
Identity Proof (Aadhaar, Passport, or Driving License)
Address Proof (Utility Bill, Rental Agreement, or Bank Statement)
Income Documents (Salary Slips or Bank Statements)
Employment Proof (Offer Letter or Employer Certificate)
Credit Report (CIBIL Score for faster approvals)
A Step Towards Financial Freedom
A two-wheeler loan for women is more than just a financial tool—it’s a key to greater independence and freedom. It empowers working women to manage their time, commute, and responsibilities with ease, making life more balanced and efficient. With flexible terms and accessible options, these loans enable career growth, economic empowerment, and the ability to take control of one’s own journey. Ultimately, they help women turn their aspirations into reality, offering a boost in both mobility and confidence.
FAQs
Can housewives apply for bike loans?
Yes, if they can provide proof of an alternative income source, such as rental earnings or their spouse’s financial backing.
How can women apply for a bike loan?
Women can apply online or visit a financial institution with the required documents to check eligibility and complete the process.
What is the process for obtaining a scooter loan?
The process involves eligibility verification, document submission, loan approval, and disbursement. The borrower repays the loan in fixed installments.
What are the advantages of two-wheeler loans for women?
They offer mobility, financial independence, and flexibility. Some lenders even offer preferential interest rates for women applicants.
What documents are needed to apply?
Standard requirements include proof of identity, address, income, and bank statements.
By GM Jilani, Joint Managing Director, Shriram Finance
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
News business Easy Loans, Big Benefits: Why Women Should Consider Two-Wheelers
Pakistan might be on the verge of a surprising shift—turning to Bitcoin mining to solve its electricity challenges. With surplus power weighing heavily on its economy, the government is exploring ways to bring in global Bitcoin miners, turning unused energy into profits rather than waste. Could this be the beginning of a digital revolution in Pakistan?
Government Eyes Bitcoin Mining
The Ministry of Energy is actively considering a special electricity tariff for industries like Bitcoin mining, hoping to attract investors without relying on government subsidies.
The idea is simple—miners need cheap electricity, and Pakistan has a surplus. By bridging this gap, the country could transform a long-standing power sector problem into an economic opportunity.
This idea gained momentum during a key meeting between Power Minister Awais Leghari and Bilal Bin Saqib, the CEO of the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). The discussion revolved around how Pakistan could position itself as a global hub for cryptocurrency mining.
This was followed by an even bigger meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Attended by top officials, including the State Bank Governor and regulators, the gathering focused on whether Pakistan should embrace crypto mining as part of its economic strategy.
How Pakistan Stands Out
Reports suggest that Bitcoin miners spend up to 70% of their earnings on electricity. Many countries have struggled with managing this demand. China, for example, banned crypto mining due to environmental concerns, while Kazakhstan initially embraced it before imposing higher taxes.
Iran, on the other hand, offered discounted rates but often suspended mining during peak electricity demand.
Pakistan, however, is taking a different approach. Instead of burdening the national grid, the country aims to create a stable and competitive energy supply dedicated to crypto mining. This strategic move could make Pakistan a global hub for blockchain-based data centers.
If Pakistan successfully welcomes mining companies, it could create a new revenue stream while utilizing excess power more efficiently.
Pakistan May Make New Crypto Rules
During the meeting, Bilal Bin Saqib shared a plan to use Pakistan’s extra energy for Bitcoin mining while also making clear rules for the industry. He said the country should create a policy that fits its needs and benefits its people.
While the plan holds great promise, success depends on execution. Regulatory clarity, compliance with global financial laws, and ensuring a stable power supply will be critical.
President Donald Trump began sketching a roadmap for dismantling the Education Department, with other agencies taking over responsibility for federal student loans and programmes serving students with disabilities.
The executive order Trump signed on Thursday to do away with the department did not offer a timeline or instructions, but his administration appears poised to carve away all but the department’s most vital operations.
The Republican president said during a White House event that student loans will be handled by the Small Business Administration, and “it will be serviced much better than it has in the past.” He also said programmes involving students with disabilities would be shifted to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Advocacy groups concerns
The decisions drew blowback from advocacy groups that fear disruptions will be inevitable. The Small Business Association announced Friday it will cut its staff by 43 per cent, raising questions about its ability to take on the Education Department’s USD 1.6 trillion loan portfolio.
“This can only result in borrowers experiencing erratic and inconsistent management of their federal student loans,” said Jessica Thompson, senior vice president of the Institute of College Access and Success. “Errors will prove costly to borrowers and ultimately, to taxpayers.” Trump’s executive order said the student loan portfolio is too big for the Education Department to manage. After the SBA cuts, however, it will be left with fewer than 4,000 employees — about the size of the Education Department before it was cut in half by the Trump administration.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she is preparing to relocate the department’s core operations to other agencies and roll back federal regulations. In an opinion piece published Friday by Fox News Channel, she said abolishing the department “will not happen tomorrow,” but she plans to pave the way.
“We will systematically unwind unnecessary regulations and prepare to reassign the department’s other functions to the states or other agencies,” McMahon wrote.
Protection for students with disabilities
The functions to be reassigned include the distribution of federal money to support low-income students and students with disabilities, the department’s management of student financial aid, civil rights enforcement and data collection, she wrote.
Some parent groups fear the reorganisation could result in weaker protections for children with disabilities. The National Parents Union said families are anxious HHS might treat students’ learning disabilities as medical issues and make them subject to insurance claims.
“Do we really think they are going to pay for our kid’s reading interventions?” said Keri Rodrigues, the group’s president. “Our children are not sick. They are not broken. They are not insurance claims.” Only Congress has the power to bring a full end to the Education Department. Republicans in Congress are planning legislation to eliminate the agency, though they face heavy opposition from Democrats.
On Friday, Democrats introduced a House resolution requesting Trump and McMahon turn over records related to the shutdown attempt. If the House Committee on Education and the Workforce takes action within 14 legislative days, it could go before the full House.
Opponents say Trump’s order will hurt students who rely on federal money and widen gaps between higher- and lower-achieving states. Some Democratic governors say it will lead to bigger class sizes and fewer after-school programmes.
Trump has denounced the department as a waste of taxpayer money, saying it has become infected by liberal ideology. He said its power should be turned over to states, which he sees as a remedy for America’s lagging education system.
Conservatives have long dreamed of closing the department, calling it an unneeded layer of bureaucracy that burdens local schools. Among those at the signing were the governors of several Republican states along with activists who say parents should have more power over their children’s education.
Since the Education Department was created in 1979, the nation’s student test scores have remained flat despite USD 1 trillion in agency spending, McMahon said in her Fox News piece.
The oddity of the task before McMahon, being responsible for the permanent closure of the department she leads, wasn’t lost on her.
“This is not a routine mission,” she wrote. “It is a transformation, driven by the clear will of the American people to return education to the states — and the decisive election of President Donald Trump.”
If you own an iPhone, you might already have an iCloud account for your file storage needs. And if you don’t, you should; regular online backups make it much easier to restore your data if your phone is lost or stolen. By default, all of your iCloud data is encrypted, and file transmissions are secure without you having to do anything.
However, if you want even stronger security, you should consider enabling Advanced Data Protection to ensure that no one — not even Apple — can access your data.
What is Advanced Data Protection?
Advanced Data Protection was introduced in iOS 16.2 back in December 2022. Instead of the aforementioned standard data protection that all iPhones have by default, Advanced Data Protection ensures that more of your data is encrypted end-to-end. This means that only the devices you’ve entrusted can access that information. With standard data protection, Apple could still access and unscramble the information, potentially providing it to enforcement agencies if compelled. However, even Apple can’t access that content with Advanced Data Protection. The additional protection also protects your data if there’s a data breach in the cloud.
Of note, this feature is not currently available in the UK due to an order from the country’s Home Office. Many of Apple’s services are still end-to-end encrypted by default, but attempting to enable Advanced Data Protection from the UK will instead lead to a message that informs how it’s not currently available.
When enabled, Advanced Data Protection will cover your iCloud backups, which includes your photos, messages, notes, reminders, voice memos, wallet passes and device backups. It’s worth noting, however, that Advanced Data Protection doesn’t apply to all iCloud data. iCloud Mail, Contacts, Calendar aren’t end-to-end encrypted because they need to interoperate. Also, certain data like passwords, your Health data and Apple Card transactions are already end-to-end encrypted without enabling Advanced Data Protection. You can check this Apple support document for a more detailed list of what’s covered.
However, the potential downside of enabling Advanced Data Protection is that if you lose access to your account, Apple will not have the encryption keys required to help you recover it. Be sure to have a recovery contact or personal recovery key in case this happens — you’ll be guided to create these recovery methods when you enable Advanced Data Protection.
How to turn on Advanced Data Protection on your iPhone
First, you’ll need an iPhone with iOS 16.2 or later and an Apple account with two-factor authentication. To enable this on your iPhone, go to the Settings app, tap your name, then Sign-In & Security and then Turn On Two-Factor Authentication. You’ll then proceed with the on-screen instructions.
To enable Advanced Data Protection, you’ll open the Settings app again, tap your name, tap iCloud and then scroll down until you see Advanced Data Protection.
Enlarge Image
The Advanced Data Protection option appears in the iCloud settings.
Nicole Lee/CNET
Tap that, and then turn the Advanced Data Protection option on. From there, the phone will guide you in creating two recovery methods: a 28-digit recovery key that you should write down and keep in a safe place or a recovery contact who can assist you in getting your account back.
The menu for setting up the Account Recovery Contact feature.
Enabling Advanced Data Protection will cover your entire Apple account, including other devices like your iPad and Mac. If some of these devices aren’t compatible, you can choose to remove them from your account, but that means they will no longer sync with your iCloud account. It’s best to update or replace these devices so they will be compatible.
An experimental drug has shown promise in preventing Alzheimer’s for people at higher risk of developing the disease.
That’s according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where researchers ran a clinical trial of people with rare genetic mutations that almost “guarantee” future Alzheimer’s development, according to a press release.
The study included 73 people in their 30s, 40s and 50s who have the mutation, which causes an overproduction of amyloid in the brain.
PARKINSON’S CASES COULD DOUBLE GLOBALLY BY 2050, STUDY REVEALS
Amyloid, a protein that builds up in the brain and can interfere with cognitive function, is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.
An experimental drug has shown promise in preventing Alzheimer’s for people at higher risk of developing the disease.(iStock)
All participants had no (or very mild) cognitive decline, had a family history of Alzheimer’s, and were within 15 years before to 10 years after their expected age of developing symptoms, the release stated.
For 22 of the participants who received a drug called gantenerumab for eight years, their risk of developing symptoms was cut in half — from 100% to 50% — the researchers reported.
“What we do know is that it’s possible to at least delay the onset of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and give people more years of healthy life.”
“There was no effect seen in those only treated for two to three years of treatment,” senior author Randall J. Bateman, MD, the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Distinguished Professor of Neurology at WashU Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
The findings were published in the journal The Lancet Neurology on March 19.
For 22 of the participants who received a drug called gantenerumab for eight years, their risk of developing symptoms was cut in half — from 100% to 50% — the researchers reported.(iStock)
Gantenerumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to target and remove amyloid plaques in the brain, was in development by Roche in Switzerland and its U.S. affiliate, Genentech.
Development was stopped in 2023, however, after Roche/Genentech’s own clinical trials found that the drug did not meet their “primary endpoint” for slowing cognitive decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, according to the release.
HIGHER DEMENTIA RISK SEEN IN WOMEN WITH COMMON HEALTH ISSUE
“Everyone in this study was destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease and some of them haven’t yet,” said Bateman in the release.
“We don’t yet know how long they will remain symptom-free – maybe a few years or maybe decades. In order to give them the best opportunity to stay cognitively normal, we have continued treatment with another anti-amyloid antibody in hopes they will never develop symptoms at all,” he went on.
The hope is that if late-onset Alzheimer’s trials have similar results, prevention methods could ultimately be available to the general population, according to the researchers.(iStock)
“What we do know is that it’s possible to at least delay the onset of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and give people more years of healthy life.”
The hope is that if late-onset Alzheimer’s trials have similar results, prevention methods could ultimately be available to the general population, according to Bateman.
DEMENTIA RISK COULD INCREASE WITH LOW LEVELS OF ESSENTIAL VITAMIN
“I am highly optimistic now, as this could be the first clinical evidence of what will become preventions for people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” he said. “One day soon, we may be delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease for millions.”
Howard Fillit, MD, co-founder and chief science officer at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation in New York, noted that the study shows for the first time that early treatment to clear the plaques before symptoms arise can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s — “similar to how we treat and prevent other chronic diseases.”
Although gantenerumab is no longer being developed, researchers are evaluating other anti-amyloid drugs — such as remternetug, which is made by Eli Lilly — to determine whether they may prevent Alzheimer’s disease.(iStock)
“We’ve entered into a new era of Alzheimer’s research where we can not only modify the course of the disease, but where prevention is possible with therapeutic intervention,” Fillit, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
Potential limitations and risks
There were several main limitations to the research, Bateman told Fox News Digital.
The number of people was limited due to the rarity of Alzheimer’s disease caused by mutations, the use of external controls, and the fact that the study started with lower doses, he said.
TWO ALZHEIMER’S DRUGS HELP PATIENTS LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AT HOME FOR LONGER PERIODS
“Many of the participants are still cognitively normal and near or past their expected age of onset even after more than eight years of treatment, so the effects could be larger or smaller with continued treatment and follow-up,” Bateman noted.
The researchers noted that anti-amyloid medications like gantenerumab have been shown to cause amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA).
Amyloid, a protein that builds up in the brain and can interfere with cognitive function, is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. (iStock)
These appear on brain scans as “tiny spots of blood in the brain or localized swelling of the brain,” the release stated.
The majority of these side effects do not cause symptoms and resolve without treatment, but in rare cases ARIA can cause serious medical issues or can even be fatal.
This most recent study showed that 30% of participants experienced ARIA, likely due to the higher doses of the drug.
Although two participants had to stop using gantenerumab due to severe ARIA, there were no “life-threatening adverse events and no deaths,” the researchers noted.
“Overall, the safety profile of gantenerumab in the extension was similar to that in the original trial and in other clinical trials of gantenerumab,” they stated.
More research needed, experts agree
Dr. Chris Vercammen, a board-certified internal medicine physician who specializes in geriatrics and palliative care, said that while these initial findings are “encouraging,” more research is needed on the effects of these medications.
“Large, randomized trials, including diverse populations and individuals with late-onset Alzheimer’s, are needed to validate these early results and determine the full potential of these treatments,” Vercammen, who is also medical director at Remo Health in California, told Fox News Digital. (He was not involved in the new study.)
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“It’s important to note that this study’s design focused on high-risk individuals in the pre-clinical stage, and therefore does not provide sufficient data on the impact of these medications on later-stage Alzheimer’s.”
Fillit added that this new research opens the door for further exploration of treating preclinical Alzheimer’s.
Anti-amyloid medications like gantenerumab have been shown to cause amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), which appear on brain scans as “tiny spots of blood in the brain or localized swelling of the brain.”(iStock)
“We look forward to seeing the longitudinal data as well as further studies around this approach,” he told Fox News Digital.
“These efforts bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal of preventing the disease before it begins.”
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Although gantenerumab is no longer being developed, researchers are evaluating other anti-amyloid drugs — such as remternetug, which is made by Eli Lilly — to determine whether they may prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
“These efforts bring us one step closer to our ultimate goal of preventing the disease before it begins.”
“These rare families with mutations may wish to participate in ongoing trials,” Bateman told Fox News Digital.
“The older general population might be interested to know that there are ongoing trials in people with amyloid plaques to test this approach to determine if Alzheimer’s symptoms could be prevented.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
The study was funded primarily by the Alzheimer’s Association, GHR Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Fox News Digital reached out to Roche/Genentech for comment.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
Can we take a moment to appreciate dosas? The crispy-thin, wafer-like crepes come packed with flavourful masalas and mashed potatoes that can give you a foodgasm. Recently, comedian and content creator Pushpek Sidhu uploaded a fun video on Instagram, underlining his deep love for this South Indian staple. The dosa preparation was made by New Zealand-based chef Andy Hearnden. In the clip, the chef is seen demonstrating the perfect dosa recipe. Trust us, you do not want to miss the in-between snippets featuring Pushpek’s hilarious reactions.
The video begins with Andy Hearnden pouring rice and dal into a container and washing them thoroughly in water. After draining the excess water, he adds the mixture into a blender producing a thick gravy. Yes, the dosa batter is done. After that, in a separate pan, he pours some oil and adds chopped onions, garlic cloves, green chillies, tomatoes, a pinch of salt, a dollop of tamarind sauce and some water. Later, the chef mixes the ingredients in a blender.
In the following step, Andy Hearnden pours oil into another pan where he adds sauteed onions, garlic paste and minutely chopped green chillies. Boiled potatoes go into the mixture and the chef smashes them with his hands. Once done, he gently takes a ladleful of the dosa batter, adds it to the centre of the griddle and spreads it in a circular motion. Mashed potatoes are added in the middle and the golden-brown edges are folded like triangles. Dosa is ready! Witnessing the lip-smacking dish, Pushpek Sidhu started drooling. The same goes for us.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-21/China-an-engine-of-economic-development-in-Asia-says-FM-spokesperson-1BVq8gErdle/img/46f3d5cd7ca3404c940e23f81fca7ab7/46f3d5cd7ca3404c940e23f81fca7ab7.png' alt='A freight train bound for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, departs from Beijing at about 10 a.m. on March 19, 2025, marking the official launch of the first Beijing-Central Asia freight train service. /CMG'
China has become an engine of economic development in Asia, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson in comments regarding the launch of the first Beijing-Central Asia freight train service.
A freight train bound for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, departed from Beijing on Wednesday, marking the official launch of the first freight train service between the Chinese capital and Central Asia.
“Today’s China is an anchor of stability, engine of economic development, and pillar of regional security in Asia,” said Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Mao noted that much progress has been made in China’s connectivity with its neighboring countries.
New train service was launched from China to Central Asia, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project ran into operation, and the land-sea corridor train service has run over 10,000 trips in the whole year, she said.
“In our neighborhood, we have signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighboring countries, and remained the largest trading partner of 18 countries,” she added.
China’s prosperity cannot be possible without Asia, and Asia’s development cannot be possible without China, said Mao.
“We will continue to follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness on neighborhood diplomacy, stick to the goal of building a community with a shared future, and share opportunities with our neighbors for common development,” said the spokesperson.
The first freight train between Beijing and Central Asia is loaded with 90 standard containers of auto parts, medicines and other goods from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and is set to exit China through Horgos Port in Xinjiang before arriving in the Uzbek capital in about 14 days, according to China Railway Beijing Group.
The freight train service provides a new platform for Beijing to better integrate into the high-quality, coordinated development of the Belt and Road Initiative, said China Railway Beijing Group.
Birla Estates Pvt. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited, has launched its first Pune project, Birla Punya, with an estimated revenue potential of ₹2,700 crore. Located in Sangamwadi, Central Pune, the project spans 5.76 acres and offers 1.6 million sq. ft. of saleable area, including 1,000 luxury flats across four towers.
Inspired by Pune’s cultural heritage and architectural essence, the project will feature 1 BHK to 4 BHK apartments, with Phase 1 introducing two towers with 500 units. Birla Punya follows the company’s LifeDesigned philosophy, integrating nature, culture, and architecture for a premium living experience.
Strategically positioned, it offers seamless connectivity to Shivaji Nagar, Koregaon Park, Pune International Airport, and metro stations, along with direct access to the Mula-Mutha Riverfront. With modern amenities, lush surroundings, and urban convenience, Birla Punya aims to become one of Pune’s most sought-after residential destinations.
Commenting on this launch, K. T. Jithendran, MD and CEO of Birla Estates said, “As Pune’s real estate market continues to be on the rise, driven by its thriving IT ecosystem and strong infrastructure development, we see that there is a growing demand for premium homes. Moreover, as the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune is embracing a more elevated lifestyle, which serves as the inspiration behind our project’s design. With Birla Punya, we aim to set a new benchmark for sophisticated living, offering a seamless balance of contemporary luxury and the timeless charm of Pune.”
Also read: Birla Estates launches first luxury residential project in Pune
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
NAKON što je ponovno lansirana 2021. godine povodom 25. godišnjice modela Nike Air Griffey Max 1, jedna od njegovih originalnih boja naziva Freshwater vraća se ove godine. Tenisice su posljednji put bile dostupne 2016. u čast Kena Griffeyja Jr.-a povodom njegovog ulaska u Kuću slavnih.
Model je dizajniran tako da odražava boje Seattle Marinersa, bejzbol kluba u kojem je Griffey stekao status legende. Gornji dio izrađen je od sintetičke baze u prepoznatljivoj plavoj nijansi, dok su crni premium nubuk i glatka koža korišteni za obrube i slojeve, stvarajući kontrast sa živopisnim bojama.
Savršeno udobne za šetnju i sport
Diskretni, ali upečatljivi bijeli Swoosh logotipi unose svježinu u dizajn, dok crveni izvezeni Swoosh logotip na peti dodaje suptilan, ali upečatljiv detalj. Potplat tenisica ima jastučiće koji pružaju udobnost pri svakom koraku, bilo da ih koristite za šetnju ili sport.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Ove tenisice, koje su izvorno lansirane 1996., očekuju se u prodaji krajem 2025., u blagdansko vrijeme, po cijeni od otprilike 120 eura, a bit će dostupne u Nike webshopu i odabranim trgovinama.
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Southern’s Tionna Lidge barely jumped for the opening tip. With UCLA’s Lauren Betts on the other side, the result seemed inevitable.
Betts had 14 points and six rebounds Friday as No. 1-seeded UCLA cruised to a 84-46 win over No. 16 Southern in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA set a program record for the largest margin of victory in an NCAA tournament game, besting a 75-43 thrashing of Texas A&M in 2017.
The Bruins (31-2) advanced to host No. 8 seed Richmond in the second round of Spokane Region 1 on Sunday. The Spiders (28-6) won their first NCAA tournament game in program history by dominating No. 9 Georgia Tech 74-49 behind 30 points, 15 rebounds and six assists from forward Maggie Doogan.
The Bruins warmed up in new Jordan-branded shirts with “Nothing Easy” printed on the front. “We” was printed on the back on top of a horizontal bar and the word “me.” The symbol of selflessness was apt for a team that led the Big Ten with 20.6 assists per game.
UCLA had 23 assists on 26 successful shots from the field, overwhelming the Jaguars with their depth and size. Guard Kiki Rice led the Bruins with seven assists and had 10 points. Against Southern’s starting lineup that had only one player taller than 5-foot-10, Betts spent most of her time in the low post with an arm raised demanding the ball against a favorable matchup.
Since the game-changing transfer came to Westwood, the Bruins have completely shifted their style of play. Before Betts, they were beginning to embrace a five-out, motion offense common among international and NBA teams. They spent the previous two offseasons relentlessly drilling post entry passes. Coaches would not allow more than a few possessions in a row without the ball touching Betts’ hands in the paint.
The focus on Betts almost immediately turned the Bruins into a national championship contender.
“She’s a little cheat code,” forward Janiah Barker said this week.
Barker, the Big Ten sixth player of the year, had two of her three first-half assists to Betts and finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
UCLA guard Kiki Rice, right, is fouled by Southern forward DeMya Porter as she drives the lane in front of teammate Angela Dugalic on Friday.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Bruins turned the ball over seven times during the second quarter, allowing Southern to cut into UCLA’s 20-point lead. Crowded by a double team, Betts was called for a travel and Southern guard Taniya Lawson converted the turnover into a pull-up jumper on the next possession to move the Jaguars to within 12 points. A small but boisterous Southern cheering section behind the team’s bench waved blue and gold pom poms and a decorative umbrella.
Betts quickly quieted them, fighting through a double team on the next possession and finishing through contact to end Southern’s eight-point scoring streak.
ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower Desktop: ASUS has launched a new desktop PC — the ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower (P500MV) — in India. Powered by the latest Intel Core i7 13620H processor, the P5 Mini Tower delivers up to 95W TDP and saves up to 34 per cent energy. With support for up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics, this new desktop also offers superior desktop-grade graphics, the company claimed.
Commenting on the launch, Dinesh Sharma, Vice President, Commercial PC and Smartphone, System Business Group, ASUS India, said, “The launch of the ASUS ExpertCenter P500MV Mini Tower desktop is a game-changing step, bringing together much greater performance, power efficiency, security and durability in a compact, enterprise-ready form factor.”
“Designed to meet the evolving demands of modern businesses, it offers a powerful yet energy-efficient solution with up to Intel Core i7 processors, industry-leading ASUS motherboards with 100% solid capacitors, military-grade durability and AI-powered productivity tools like ASUS AI ExpertMeet that enhance productivity without compromising on security or reliability,” he added.
Key Features of the ASUS ExpertCenter P500MV Desktop:
Powerful Performance for Business: Powered by up to 13th-gen Intel Core i7-13620H processors with 64GB DDR5-5200MT/s RAM (Dual SO-DIMM slots), the ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower is engineered to handle demanding business tasks effortlessly, said the company.
Advanced Cooling and Thermals for Energy Efficiency: The ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower introduced industry-leading thermal solutions for optimal performance and longevity. The Triple-Pipe Tower Air Cooler system featured on the Intel Core i7-13620H maximises heat dissipation, improving CPU power efficiency and delivering up to 34 per cent better performance compared to similarly priced commercial desktops, the company claimed.
Engineered to Save up to 34% power consumption: The ASUS ExpertCenter P500MV is designed with a carefully engineered combination of processor, thermal management, and power supply unit (PSU), reducing power consumption by up to 34 per cent, the company claimed.
AI-Driven Productivity for Modern Workspaces: According to the company, ASUS AI ExpertMeet enhances video conferencing with AI noise cancellation, AI camera enhancements, AI-generated meeting minutes for seamless productivity, and AI Translated Subtitles that break down language barriers in real-time.
ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower Desktop: Price
The ASUS ExpertCenter P500 Mini Tower is available with DOS, Windows 11 Home, and Windows 11 Pro options at a starting price of Rs 26,990 plus taxes.
Airport etiquette has always been a hot topic, from middle seat armrest debates to avoiding overpowering scents. Lately, travellers have been less focused on making airport time pleasant and more on avoiding it altogether. Enter airport theory, the latest travel trend taking over the internet. Some jet-setters swear by it, while others are putting it to the test (sometimes with chaotic results). So, is it worth the risk? Here’s what you need to know. (Also read: Say hello to ‘hurkle-durkling’: The latest travel trend that’s all about doing absolutely nothing )
Is airport theory worth the gamble? Check out the pros and cons of last-minute arrivals. (Pixabay)
What is airport theory?
Airport theory is shaking up how we think about pre-flight time, with travellers showing up just 15-20 minutes before boarding. It’s a trend gaining traction on social media, and while it sounds like a thrill ride, it’s not for everyone.
Airport theory encourages travellers to arrive just before boarding, saving time and avoiding airport hassles. (Pixabay)
For those who love living on the edge, like adrenaline junkies or laid-back type B personalities, this might be a perfect fit, especially if you’re the kind of person who shows up last minute or packs on the same day. But for the super-organised type-A folks who arrive hours early and like things stress-free, the idea of rushing to the gate might seem insane.
Why are travellers trying airport theory?
Not everyone enjoys killing time at the airport, and that’s exactly why this trend is catching on. For some travellers, airport theory is all about saving money, as airports are designed to tempt you into spending at overpriced shops and fancy restaurants. For others, it’s about cutting down on the hassle.
Between check-in, security, and long walks to the gate, getting through an airport can be exhausting. While some people love the comfort of lounges or the reassurance of seeing their gate early, others would rather skip the waiting game altogether. Sure, arriving just 15-20 minutes before departure sounds stressful, but for many, it’s worth the trade-off.
Why this trend might backfire
Trying out airport theory isn’t just about saving time, it also comes with a fair share of risks. If everything goes smoothly, you might breeze through check-in and security with time to spare. But if something goes wrong? It could lead to a full-blown travel disaster. Traffic jams, long security lines, or unexpected delays at baggage drop can completely derail last-minute arrivals. And if you miss your flight? You’re not just dealing with rebooking hassles, you’re also adding extra stress for airport staff who have to accommodate a new wave of panicked passengers.
Airport theory encourages travellers to arrive just 15-20 minutes before boarding, promising a quicker process but risking missed flights. (Unsplash)
Then there’s the risk of getting bumped from an overbooked flight. Airlines often close gates early, and standby passengers who actually show up on time could take your seat. Plus, if overhead bins fill up before you board, you might be forced to check your carry-on at the last minute, costing you extra money and adding another layer of inconvenience. So, while airport theory might seem like a genius hack, it’s a gamble that could cost more than just time.
How early should you really arrive?
The ideal time to arrive at the airport depends on factors like airport size, airline policies, and security wait times. Smaller airports may allow for more flexibility, while major hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport often require the standard two-to-three-hour buffer. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends checking airline guidelines and factoring in check-in and security screening times. Programs like TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry can help speed up the process but won’t be useful if you arrive too late and your plane is already taxiing.
In 1942, World War 2 was raging across Europe and the Nazis had quietly opened their first extermination camp at Chelmno.
Two Polish Jews named Michael Podchlebnik and Szlama Ber Winer were the first death camp escapees of the Holocaust.
Together, they planned to provide the first eyewitness accounts of Hitler’s genocide.
Now the first film to depict the previously untold true story is set to release in cinemas next month.
The World Will Tremble was written and directed by Lior Geller, who spent a decade researching the Chelmno extermination camp, assisted by a historian from Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Centre.
Holocaust survivors and Yad Vashem have described the film as “destined to become one of the most important, watched, and studied films on the Holocaust.” The film stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Jeremy Neumark Jones, Anton Lesser, David Kross and Michael Fox.
The World Will Tremble will be released in UK cinemas on April 7, 2025.
Just under 90 per cent of all new Fords sold in Australia in 2024 were Rangers or Everests.
The Ranger was Australia’s best-selling model bar none, and the Everest came in sixth and beat all its large SUV rivals.
Given Ford overtook Mazda to become the number two brand in Australia last year, it’s arguably clear it doesn’t need a vast portfolio of models to be successful, so long as these two locally developed large vehicles continue to be hot property.
In recent years, Ford has shrunk its local lineup, leaving it heavily dependent on the Ranger and Everest and consisting predominantly of light commercial vehicles.
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But Ford has a bevy of US, German and even Chinese models in its global portfolio which would help fill some major gaps in its local range.
Alas, many of the vehicles listed below aren’t built in right-hand drive. But let’s imagine they are, and let’s look at how they’d slot into the Blue Oval’s local lineup.
It’s a similar thought exercise to another we did recently, when we looked at which cars Holden could offer if it still existed.
For this instalment, we’ll look at Ford cars and crossovers; in the next, we’ll examine off-roaders and utes/pickups.
Light/small SUVs
In axing the Puma small SUV last year, Ford Australia killed its most affordable model (having previously axed the Fiesta and Focus). This meant the cost of entry into a new Ford SUV or car shot up by more than $20,000.
Facelifted Puma
Ford Australia said it discontinued the Puma after around four years on sale to focus on commercial vehicles, as well as Mustang-badged models.
But in doing so, it killed off a vehicle that could have been the first new Ford for an entirely new set of buyers, who could have potentially upgraded to larger, more profitable models down the line.
Not only that, but Ford Australia put the Puma down just as an updated version was being revealed for Europe.
This brought a redesigned grille and headlights, the latter with available matrix LED technology, plus improved adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems.
Inside, there’s an overhauled dashboard with a 12.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen running Ford’s latest Sync 4 operating system.
The new Puma sticks with a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-pot petrolengine, in either 92kW/170Nm or 116kW/190Nm tunes. Sadly, the 147kW 1.5-litre turbo triple and six-speed manual combo offered in the European ST was axed.
Puma Gen-E
Several months after officially pulling the plug on the Puma in Australia, Ford Australia also announced it wouldn’t bring the new electric Puma Gen-E – despite having previously confirmed this model for our market.
While it looks much the same as the updated petrol Puma inside and out, it’s powered by a 124kW/290Nm front-mounted electric motor fed by a 43kWh battery pack, giving the Gen-E WLTP range of up to 376km and DC fast-charging at up to 100kW.
The electric kitty also has more storage space than the model it replaces, not only in the boot but also under the bonnet.
The Gen-E would have had an uphill battle in Australia given the sheer volume of affordable Chinese EVs sold here, but it’s genuinely a shame it didn’t come here.
Mid-sized SUVs
It’s remarkable that Ford, as of last year, no longer offers a combustion-powered mid-sized SUV in Australia when it has so many available globally, and when it’s this nation’s single most popular new vehicle type.
Chinese Equator Sport
A simple option would be to just bring the Equator Sport here. It’s already on sale in one right-hand drive market, South Africa, where it’s known as the Territory.
Don’t think because of that name that this is some authentic true-Blue Oval product, like the Falcon-based Territory that was developed and built here before Ford ceased locally manufacturing in 2016.
Instead, the Territory/Equator Sport is a product from Ford’s joint venture with Jiangling Motors and, while it wears styling that fits with the rest of the Blue Oval lineup, there are telltale signs this isn’t a “real” Ford.
That includes the absence of an infotainment system from Ford’s SYNC family. The specifications also scream ‘Chinese SUV’, from the small-displacement turbocharged engine through to the dual-clutch automatic transmission.
South African Territory
In South Africa, where it was launched in 2024 in pre-facelift guise, the only engine is a 138kW/318Nm turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol four mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, making it good for claimed fuel consumption of 7.0L/100km on the NEDC cycle.
In China, however, a facelift brought a front-wheel drive plug-in hybrid powertrain that mates a 160kW/315Nm electric motor with a 110kW/240Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and an 18.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Claimed electric range is 95km on the WLTC cycle.
Sized similarly to the Escape, the Equator Sport features MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and is available exclusively with front-wheel drive.
Bronco Sport Big Bend
Then there’s the Bronco Sport, a Mexican-built mid-sized crossover with the tough looks of the Bronco off-roader but the platform of the road-focused Escape.
It’s more rugged than most mid-sized crossovers, and depending on the variant is available with a unique off-road suspension tune, a different four-wheel drive system with a twin-clutch rear drive unit,locking rear differential, metal bash plates, a couple of extra terrain modes (for seven in total), front tow hooks, and all-terrain tyres.
So equipped, you get a wading depth of around 600mm and ground clearance of 223mm. There’s also Ford Trail Control, which is like an off-road adaptive cruise control system.
The Bronco Sport is offered with either a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine outputting 132kW and 271Nm, or a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with 175kW/375Nm. Both engines are mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Something the Bronco Sport doesn’t offer, however, is a choice of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.
[Re-] enter the Escape PHEV. This mid-sized wagon has been offered here before with a PHEV powertrain, though unusually Ford Australia never sold it as a hybrid despite this configuration being offered in Europe, from where our Escapes were sourced.
European Kuga Hybrid
The Escape (or Kuga, as it’s known in Europe) was revealed in facelifted guise in 2022, bringing sharper front-end styling, enhanced safety tech, and larger digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreens (12.3 and 13.2 inches, respectively).
As before, the hybrid and PHEV options feature a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electronic continuously variable transmission.
The hybrid is available with either front- or all-wheel drive and has a total system output of between 132kW and 143kW, while using between 5.3L/100km and 6.4L/100km on the WLTP cycle.
European Kuga PHEV
The front-wheel drive-only PHEV can run on pure electric power for around 60-69km of electric-only range on the WLTP test cycle thanks to its larger 14.4kWh battery pack.
Sure, the Escape PHEV didn’t tear up the sales charts here, but surely a regular hybrid would give Ford Australia something to battle the growing ranks of popular mid-sized hybrid SUVs here, including the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – the country’s most popular SUV and, for the first time, Toyota Australia’s top-selling model in 2024.
Ford’s mid-sized Mustang Mach-E isn’t tearing up the sales charts either, and it’s unclear if the cute, chunky Explorer EV would be any more successful.
Explorer EV
The confusingly named electric vehicle (EV) is considerably smaller than the real Explorer – it’s even shorter than the Escape – and underneath it uses the Volkswagen Group’s dedicated-EV architecture, MEB.
It differs from its Volkswagen cousins with chunky, purposeful styling and unique suspension tuning, but still offers a choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains.
There’s also a coupe SUV relation, the Capri, which enraged legions of fans of the European coupe that once wore this nameplate.
Large SUVs
Ford Australia already has a three-row SUV in the Everest, but this is a rugged, ute-based ladder-frame model. It gives the Blue Oval a rival to the likes of the Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X, but not a direct rival to seven-seat crossover wagons such as the Toyota Kluger, like the Territory once was.
US Explorer ST
Chinese Explorer Timberline
When it was last sold Down Under in 2006, the Explorer was a traditional body-on-frame SUV like today’s Everest, which shares its Australian-engineered T6.2 chassis with the Ranger. For the past two generations, however, it has been a unibody crossover.
The American Explorer – a completely different vehicle to the European Explorer EV – would therefore complement the Everest, much like Toyota’s Kluger complements its Prado.
The current generation entered production in 2019, debuting a new rear/all-wheel drive platform that thus far has been used only for it and the fancier Lincoln Aviator.
US Explorer
Chinese Explorer
During its run, it has been offered with turbocharged four-cylinder and twin-turbo V6 petrol engines, plus V6 hybrid and twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid powertrains.
It’s produced not only in the US but also in China, which receives slightly different exterior styling plus a markedly different interior with three available screens instead of ‘just’ two. Chinese Explorers also come only with the 213kW/445Nm 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four, mated with a 10-speed auto.
US-market Platinum and hot ST variants get a twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6 offering 298kW/563Nm, mated with a 10-speed auto – Territory Turbo or FPV F6X successor, anyone? You can even get this high-output engine with either rear- or all-wheel drive, with the ST gaining a unique, sportier suspension tune.
Edge L
It’s not the only three-row SUV that Ford produces in China. Through the Changan Ford joint venture, the Blue Oval has also manufactured the Edge L since 2023.
Like the Explorer, it measures around 5m long on a circa-3m wheelbase. Using a version of the platform underpinning the Escape and Bronco Sport, the Edge L is a replacement of sorts for the previous, five-seat Edge that was sold in Australia as the Endura.
Unlike that model, it offers hybrid power. The standard engine is a 2.0-litre turbo four producing 185kW/378Nm and mated with an eight-speed automatic; this is complemented by a 2.0-litre turbo four hybrid system pushing out 202kW and 405Nm, mated with an e-CVT. Both are offered with front- or all-wheel drive.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard, along with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, with up-spec variants swapping the latter for a huge 27-inch 4K screen. In up-spec grades, you can ditch the standard second-row bench for heated, ventilated and power-adjustable captain’s chairs.
Ford also has the older Equator – not to be confused with the smaller Equator Sport – which is a product of the JMC-Ford joint venture and entered production in 2021. It recently gained the Equator Sport’s plug-in hybrid powertrain, too.
Of course, neither of these Chinese models – nor the Explorer – are built in right-hand drive.
Cars
Ford doesn’t sell many traditional cars anymore, with the Fiesta dead and the Focus exiting production this year. Only the Mustang lives on in its global portfolio.
Mondeo
In a handful of markets, however, the long-running Mondeo nameplate carries on, applied to a vehicle developed and built in China by the Changan Ford joint venture.
Also known as the Taurus in the Middle East, keeping another heritage name alive, the mid-sized sedan is offered with a choice of four-cylinder powertrains.
A turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol four opens the range with 140kW and 258Nm outputs delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
There’s also a hybrid version of this with an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). Its engine produces 140kW and 222Nm and is mated with a 96kW/235Nm electric motor and a ternary lithium battery, for a total system output of 153kW.
Topping the range is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol four with 187kW/393Nm, also mated with an eight-speed auto.
The Mondeo/Taurus measures 4935mm long, 1875mm wide and 1500mm tall on a 2945mm wheelbase, which makes it 64mm longer and 25mm wider than the last Mondeo liftback sold here on a 95mm longer wheelbase.
Mondeo Sport
It rides on MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and is underpinned by a version of the same C2 platform used by the Escape and Edge L among others.
Inside, it comes standard with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, but up-spec variants upgrade to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a whopping 27-inch touchscreen for a pillar-to-pillar effect.
As expected, a full suite of active safety technology is available, while the translated Chinese spec sheet also lists some cryptic features like Free Secret and Secret Letter of Space and Time. Hey, try and find a Toyota Camry with those!
The Mondeo also has a slightly higher-riding, liftback version called the Mondeo Sport (formerly known as the Evos).
Banks in India will be closed on March 22, 2025, as it is the fourth Saturday. Other March holidays include Gudi Padwa on March 30 and Id-ul-Fitr on March 31. Online banking services remain available.
Bank Holidays in March 2025
Bank Saturday Holidays 2025: In India, banks remain closed on all national and regional holidays, along with the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. However, they remain open on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays unless specified otherwise in the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) holiday schedule.
Will Banks Be Open Or Closed On Saturday, March 22?
Since March 22, 2025, falls on the fourth Saturday of the month, banks across the country will remain closed. As a result, customers will have to wait until Monday to complete their banking tasks, as banks were open last week but will not be operational this weekend.
Bank Holidays In March 2025
Other March holidays include Gudi Padwa on March 30, marking the Marathi New Year, followed by Id-ul-Fitr on March 31, when banks across the country will remain closed. In total, banks are expected to be closed for at least 14 days in March, including weekends and public holidays. However, these closures vary by state and location, so customers are advised to check with their respective banks to avoid any inconvenience.
Additional Banking Service Methods
Despite physical branch closures on weekends and holidays, banks across the country remain accessible for virtual transactions. Customers can continue to use online banking services via official websites and mobile applications. Additionally, cash withdrawals from ATMs, UPI payments, and other digital transaction methods remain operational. In case of emergencies, customers are advised to contact their bank’s customer service. However, occasional disruptions may occur due to scheduled maintenance or security updates, for which banks usually notify their clients in advance.
In addition, Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) services are provided for fund transfers and other financial activities.
News business Bank Holiday March 2025: Will Banks Be Open Or Closed On Saturday, March 22?
Amid Ethereum’s (ETH) continuous price drop, whales and long-term holders have seized the opportunity to buy the dip. On March 21, 2025, the on-chain analytics firm Santiment reported that during the ongoing price decline, crypto enthusiasts have significantly accumulated ETH tokens, leaving only 8.97 million ETH on exchanges, which indicates a bullish trend.
Source: Santiment
Ethereum Reserves Fall to 8.97 Million
This massive drop in exchange reserves has occurred for the first time in the past 10 years, with the last instance reported in November 2015. However, the current reserve is 16.4% lower than it was seven weeks ago, indicating potential accumulation by whales and long-term holders.
Experts see these metrics as bullish signs as prices continue to fall, along with ETH exchange reserves. Besides this significant 16.4% drop in reserves, asset prices have also declined during the same period, which investors have taken as a buying opportunity.
Current Price Momentum
Ether is currently trading near $1,960, registering a 0.50% price drop in the past 24 hours. During the same period, its trading volume declined by 40%, indicating lower participation from traders and investors, possibly due to market uncertainty.
Ethereum (ETH) Price Action and Upcoming Levels
Despite the bearish market sentiment and reduced participation from investors and traders, ETH’s current level appears bullish. Its lack of a rally is not solely due to negative sentiment.
According to expert technical analysis, ETH remains bullish, having recently broken out of a prolonged consolidation phase that lasted over a week. Following the recent price drop, the asset seems to have successfully retested that zone, and its price now appears to be moving upward.
Based on recent price action and historical patterns, if Ether holds above the $1,950 level, there is a strong possibility it could surge by 12% to reach $2,200 in the coming days.
Source: Trading View
At press time, the asset is trading well below the 200 Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily timeframe, hinting at a potential price rebound.
Generative AI chatbots are known to make a lot of mistakes. Let’s hope you didn’t follow Google’s AI suggestion to add glue to your pizza recipe or eat a rock or two a day for your health.
These errors are known as hallucinations: essentially, things the model makes up. Will this technology get better? Even researchers who study AI aren’t optimistic that’ll happen soon.
That’s one of the findings by a panel of two dozen artificial intelligence experts released this month by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. The group also surveyed more than 400 of the association’s members.
In contrast to the hype you may see about developers being just years (or months, depending on who you ask) away from improving AI, this panel of academics and industry experts seems more guarded about how quickly these tools will advance. That includes not just getting facts right and avoiding bizarre mistakes. The reliability of AI tools needs to increase dramatically if developers are going to produce a model that can meet or surpass human intelligence, commonly known as artificial general intelligence. Researchers seem to believe improvements at that scale are unlikely to happen soon.
“We tend to be a little bit cautious and not believe something until it actually works,” Vincent Conitzer, a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University and one of the panelists, told me.
Artificial intelligence has developed rapidly in recent years
The report’s goal, AAAI president Francesca Rossi wrote in its introduction, is to support research in artificial intelligence that produces technology that helps people. Issues of trust and reliability are serious, not just in providing accurate information but in avoiding bias and ensuring a future AI doesn’t cause severe unintended consequences. “We all need to work together to advance AI in a responsible way, to make sure that technological progress supports the progress of humanity and is aligned to human values,” she wrote.
The acceleration of AI, especially since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, has been remarkable, Conitzer said. “In some ways that’s been stunning, and many of these techniques work much better than most of us ever thought that they would,” he said.
There are some areas of AI research where “the hype does have merit,” John Thickstun, assistant professor of computer science at Cornell University, told me. That’s especially true in math or science, where users can check a model’s results.
“This technology is amazing,” Thickstun said. “I’ve been working in this field for over a decade, and it’s shocked me how good it’s become and how fast it’s become good.”
Despite those improvements, there are still significant issues that merit research and consideration, experts said.
Will chatbots start to get their facts straight?
Despite some progress in improving the trustworthiness of the information that comes from generative AI models, much more work needs to be done. A recent report from Columbia Journalism Review found chatbots were unlikely to decline to answer questions they couldn’t answer accurately, confident about the wrong information they provided and made up (and provided fabricated links to) sources to back up those wrong assertions.
Improving reliability and accuracy “is arguably the biggest area of AI research today,” the AAAI report said.
Researchers noted three main ways to boost the accuracy of AI systems: fine-tuning, such as reinforcing learning with human feedback; retrieval-augmented generation, in which the system gathers specific documents and pulls its answer from those; and chain-of-thought, where prompts break down the question into smaller steps that the AI model can check for hallucinations.
Will those things make your chatbot responses more accurate soon? Not likely: “Factuality is far from solved,” the report said. About 60% of those surveyed indicated doubts that factuality or trustworthiness concerns would be solved soon.
In the generative AI industry, there has been optimism that scaling up existing models will make them more accurate and reduce hallucinations.
“I think that hope was always a little bit overly optimistic,” Thickstun said. “Over the last couple of years, I haven’t seen any evidence that really accurate, highly factual language models are around the corner.”
Despite the fallibility of large language models such as Anthropic’s Claude or Meta’s Llama, users can mistakenly assume they’re more accurate because they present answers with confidence, Conitzer said.
“If we see somebody responding confidently or words that sound confident, we take it that the person really knows what they’re talking about,” he said. “An AI system, it might just claim to be very confident about something that’s completely nonsense.”
Lessons for the AI user
Awareness of generative AI’s limitations is vital to using it properly. Thickstun’s advice for users of models such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini is simple: “You have to check the results.”
General large language models do a poor job of consistently retrieving factual information, he said. If you ask it for something, you should probably follow up by looking up the answer in a search engine (and not relying on the AI summary of the search results). By the time you do that, you might have been better off doing that in the first place.
Thickstun said the way he uses AI models most is to automate tasks that he could do anyway and that he can check the accuracy, such as formatting tables of information or writing code. “The broader principle is that I find these models are most useful for automating work that you already know how to do,” he said.
Read more: 5 Ways to Stay Smart When Using Gen AI, Explained by Computer Science Professors
Is artificial general intelligence around the corner?
One priority of the AI development industry is an apparent race to create what’s often called artificial general intelligence, or AGI. This is a model that is generally capable of a human level of thought or better.
The report’s survey found strong opinions on the race for AGI. Notably, more than three-quarters (76%) of respondents said scaling up current AI techniques such as large language models was unlikely to produce AGI. A significant majority of researchers doubt the current march toward AGI will work.
A similarly large majority believe systems capable of artificial general intelligence should be publicly owned if they’re developed by private entities (82%). That aligns with concerns about the ethics and potential downsides of creating a system that can outthink humans. Most researchers (70%) said they oppose stopping AGI research until safety and control systems are developed. “These answers seem to suggest a preference for continued exploration of the topic, within some safeguards,” the report said.
The conversation around AGI is complicated, Thickstun said. In some sense, we’ve already created systems that have a form of general intelligence. Large language models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT are capable of doing a variety of human activities, in contrast to older AI models that could only do one thing, such as play chess. The question is whether it can do many things consistently at a human level.
“I think we’re very far away from this,” Thickstun said.
He said these models lack a built-in concept of truth and the ability to handle truly open-ended creative tasks. “I don’t see the path to making them operate robustly in a human environment using the current technology,” he said. “I think there are many research advances in the way of getting there.”
Conitzer said the definition of what exactly constitutes AGI is tricky: Often, people mean something that can do most tasks better than a human but some say it’s just something capable of doing a range of tasks. “A stricter definition is something that would really make us completely redundant,” he said.
While researchers are skeptical that AGI is around the corner, Conitzer cautioned that AI researchers didn’t necessarily expect the dramatic technological improvement we’ve all seen in the past few years.
“We did not see coming how quickly things have changed recently,” he said, “and so you might wonder whether we’re going to see it coming if it continues to go faster.”
Each year on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) marks a global day of awareness and education about the genetic condition.
The goal is to “help people understand and support those with Down syndrome better,” according to the initiative’s website. WDSD has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
On Friday, Fox News contributor Tom Shillue headed to Times Square in New York City to speak with New Yorkers about their awareness of WDSD. (See the video at the top of this article.)
DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH: 5 KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Shillue spoke with Daniel Schreck, chairman of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, a global nonprofit focused on research and advocacy for people with genetic intellectual disabilities.
Schreck also has a daughter with Down syndrome.
Daniel Schreck, chair of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation and father of a daughter with Down syndrome, at left, spoke with Fox News contributor Tom Shillue, right, on World Down Syndrome Day.(Fox News)
When asked about common fears or misunderstandings about the condition, Schreck spoke of the perceived limitations.
“I think the most important thing is that if you have Down syndrome, just like any other disability, you can live an abundant life and there’s nothing to be afraid of,” he said.
FAMILY OF CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME WENT FROM SHOCK TO GRATITUDE: ‘LOST THE AIR IN MY CHEST’
“Plus, people with Down’s syndrome are the happiest people you’ve ever met. So there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
The date of WDSD, the 21st day of the third month, was chosen to commemorate the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which is the cause of Down syndrome.
Daniel Schreck’s daughter, Rose, has Down syndrome. “People with Down’s syndrome are the happiest people you’ve ever met. So there’s nothing to be afraid of,” Schreck told Tom Shillue, Fox News contributor.(Daniel Schreck)
Schreck joked that the extra chromosome “makes you happier.”
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His son, Danny, also joined the conversation to speak about his sister, Rose.
The date of WDSD, the 21st day of the third month, was chosen to commemorate the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which is the cause of Down syndrome.(iStock)
“She’s really fun to be around,” said Danny Schreck.
“It’s kind of weird to see everyone else compared to her, where she’s just so happy and everyone else is just walking around with their head down.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition.
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Each year, about 5,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the U.S., or one in every 775, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
Ask any North Indian, a bowl of rajma-chawal holds a special place in their heart. They can never get enough of the dish. It is simple, soulful, and loaded with flavours. But have you ever wondered why the taste of rajma curry differs from place to place? Is it the dish’s process or the ingredients used in the recipe? Or some other factors bring the difference in taste? If you ask us, we feel certain factors affect the overall taste and texture of rajma curry. In this article, we will highlight a few such factors, which if not taken care of, can ruin your dish completely. Let’s take you through.
5 Things You Might Be Doing Wrong While Making Rajma Curry:
The soaking time:
Did you know the flavour of rajma depends on how long it is soaked in the water? We suggest soaking it overnight, or at least eight hours to cook the beans evenly. Ideally, the beans should be soft and mushy yet hold their form after boiling.
The way it is boiled:
Some people boil rajma in a saucepan to keep its form intact. But this often leaves the beans undercooked, making them hard to digest. We suggest boiling rajma under pressure for proper cooking and saving time in the kitchen.
Photo Credit: iStock
Adding salt:
People often add salt while boiling the rajma. It makes the beans hard and ruins the texture of the dish. It also extends the overall cooking time.
Use of spice:
Ideally, rajma curry has to be flavourful. However, overusing spices and garam masala can add extra heat to the dish, ruining the taste completely. Also, never skip adding hing and ginger to the dish. These spices help you digest the bean easily.
Cooking time:
A good dish can never be made in a hurry. Slow-cook rajma and let the spices mix well to infuse the flavours properly. Cooking it on high heat may leave the dish bland. Also, keep a check on the heat while reheating rajma the next day. Letting it stick to the bottom of the pan may alter the taste and texture completely.
Now that you have the hacks to make a perfect bowl of rajma, we suggest following them religiously the next time you cook the dish. Click here for the traditional Punjabi rajma recipe.
About Somdatta SahaExplorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-21/Chinese-vice-president-meets-Fiji-s-speaker-of-parliament-1BVzSwwTAe4/img/a0b02e51381043c8b50159def3c85c51/a0b02e51381043c8b50159def3c85c51.png' alt='Chinese Vice President Han Zheng (R) shakes hands with Filimone Jitoko, speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, in Beijing, China, March 21, 2025. /Xinhua'
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Filimone Jitoko, speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Fiji, in Beijing on Friday.
Noting Fiji was one of the first Pacific Island countries to establish diplomatic relations with New China, Han said their bilateral relationship had stood the test of the changing international landscape, and the two countries had forged a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development.
Han said China was willing to work with Fiji to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, carry forward the traditional friendship and jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
China is ready to work with Fiji to deepen political mutual trust and firmly support each other’s core interests and major concerns, Han said.
He also called for more cooperation outcomes to promote the sustained and healthy development of China-Fiji relations.
Jitoko said adhering to the one-China principle is the cornerstone of Fiji-China relations. Fiji highly appreciates the major initiatives and ideas put forward by China and is willing to continuously enhance political mutual trust with China, promote cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, poverty reduction and tourism, and deepen exchanges between legislative bodies and governments of the two countries.
Real estate player Brigade Group and venture investment firm Gruhas have launched a ₹200 crore SEBI-registered Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), the Earth Fund, with an additional ₹100 crore green-shoe option.
This marks Gruhas’ second fund, with Brigade as a major investor. The fund aims to invest $1-2 million per start-up, over 10-15 start-ups in two years.
Investment thesis
The Earth Fund plans to invest in Pre-series A and Series-A start-ups focused on real estate, construction, and sustainability.
Commenting on the initiative, Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director of Brigade Enterprises Ltd said, “With the Earth Fund, the aim is to identify and support start-ups that will redefine urban development and drive long-term value. Our goal is to bridge the gap between traditional real estate and technology.”
Brigade has been an active player in the start-up ecosystem, and has invested in 80 start-ups over the past eight years through its UrbanTech accelerator, Brigade REAP.
Abhijeet Pai, Co-Founder, Gruhas, emphasised the need for modernisation in the real estate sector, stating, “With India’s population surpassing 1.4 billion, modernising our built environment is more urgent than ever. We aim to back PropTech and sustainability start-ups with funding, industry integration, and strategic mentorship. By bridging traditional real estate with emerging technologies, we’re accelerating ventures that redefine urban spaces, construction, and resource efficiency.”
Gruhas has previously invested in over 50 companies, including Rare Rabbit, One Percent Club, Licious, and Primus Senior Living.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
PAYPAL je jedna od najpopularnijih digitalnih platformi za slanje i primanje novca te online kupovinu, koju svakodnevno koriste milijuni ljudi diljem svijeta, a mnogi ga biraju zbog percepcije sigurnosti i zaštite kupaca, no sve je više slučajeva koji pokazuju da ni PayPal nije imun na ozbiljne sigurnosne propuste. Jedna takva priča nedavno je postala viralna.
Korisnica TikToka Anjali (@uncommonanjali) podijelila je priču o tome kako navodno sada duguje 13.000 dolara PayPalu zbog hakera, a tvrtka joj uporno odbija pomoći.
Ljudi u komentarima masovno javljaju da zatvaraju račune
“Ukratko, moj PayPal račun, na kojem je bila uključena dvofaktorska autentifikacija, što znači da bih trebala dobiti SMS svaki put kad se netko prijavi, bio je hakiran. Nisam dobila nikakav SMS, tako da nemam pojma kako je ta osoba ušla”, objasnila je Anjali.
Tko god da je ušao u njezin račun, u svega četiri minute stvorio je dug od čak 13.000 dolara. Od PayPala nije dobila nikakvu obavijest, već je za prevaru doznala od American Expressa. PayPal joj nije pomogao zaštititi računi i vratiti novac, a prijete joj prosljeđivanjem duga agenciji za naplatu potraživanja.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Mnogi su u komentarima rekli kako prekidaju koristiti PayPal: “Uklanjam svoj PayPal račun”, “Definitivno mičem karticu s PayPala”, “Zatvorila sam račun. Horor priče o PayPalu me više ne čude”, “Ne koristim ga često, ali mislim da ću zatvoriti račun”, “Upravo sam ga izbrisala. Siromašna sam i bez da me pljačkaju”.
Jedna je osoba rekla kako je zatvorila svoj račun i navela upravo ovaj video: “Koristila sam PayPal jednom godišnje. Upravo sam tražila brisanje podataka i zatvorila račun. Odabrala sam ‘drugo’ pod razloge i navela ovaj video.”
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LEXINGTON, Ky. — For months, their coach has quickly yanked them off the court, publicly chastised them, screamed so loud about mistakes during games that his voice could be heard in the upper reaches of almost every arena.
Now, Mick Cronin has nudged mascot Joe Bruin and the spirit squad aside as his players’ biggest cheerleader.
The UCLA coach was only a few sentences into his postgame remarks Thursday night inside Rupp Arena when he lobbed his first compliment.
“These two guys to my right,” Cronin said of Skyy Clark and Eric Dailey Jr. after they had helped the Bruins polish off Utah State with a 25-point rout in their NCAA tournament opener, “give us a toughness that you need to have.”
Wait a March minute. Toughness? Wasn’t this the same guy who called his players “soft” and “completely delusional about who they are” after a loss to Michigan two months ago? What’s going on here as the seventh-seeded Bruins (23-10) prepare for a Saturday showdown against second-seeded Tennessee (28-7) in the second round?
Cronin went on to praise Aday Mara’s dominance, Dylan Andrews’ magnificence, Clark’s perseverance. The coach said he’s trying to get his players to believe they can live up to their championship pedigree, taking the court with the swagger that they’re the team that should win no matter what the seedings say.
“They’re the only one in this tournament that practices under 11 banners, championship banners, only one,” Cronin said. “And when we walk out there with them uniforms on, everybody knows them uniforms. So you have to have an air about you.”
Since Dailey leads the team in the confidence department, his conviction in himself visible in the way he bops around the court before games, his coach is trying to get him to double down on his belief.
UCLA center Aday Mara shoots over Utah State forward Karson Templin during the Bruins’ NCAA tournament win Thursday in Lexington, Ky.
(Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)
“I told him, you’ve got to be even more so outward with it and permeate it down to your teammates,” Cronin said, “because, like, Eric believes that he is really good. And he is really good.”
Part of the postseason pep talk is rooted in the disregard others had for his players coming out of high school. Cronin noted that freshman guard Trent Perry, the McDonald’s All-American who is averaging just 11 minutes per game this season, was the team’s most highly rated prospect, with mainstays Dailey and Tyler Bilodeau lagging far behind.
“So I’m trying to infuse confidence in these guys,” Cronin said after sounding a far less praiseworthy tune for most of the season.
Last month, Dailey said Cronin’s criticism was exactly what he needed to elevate his play after spending his freshman season at Oklahoma State.
UCLA teammates huddle during on the court during an NCAA tournament win over Utah State on Thursday.
(Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)
“He’s tough, he’s not soft, he’s not delusional,” Dailey told The Times as he sat in the lobby of the Mo Ostin Center, chuckling at his intentional choice of words, “he gets players going, he knows what makes players tick and I think I just needed a coach to do that and bark with me. I’m one of those players, I play with a lot of energy, I play with a lot of passion, I play with a lot of excitement and he coaches like that, so you can see on the floor I’ll be talking to the fans or I’ll be yelling and stuff and he’s on the sidelines with it, so I think that makes it fun to play for — he’s a fun coach to play for.
“Yeah, he’s going to scream at you, but it’s passion, so it’s not coming from a place of anger or madness, it’s coming from a place of passion and I think a lot of people misconstrue that when they talk about Cronin. … Honestly, this generation is soft — I grew up, my parents were older, so they taught me how they were raised, so a lot of kids can’t take a lot of things that coach might do, but then you’re not one of the kids for his program, honestly.”
But how did the Bruins take it when their coach called them out so publicly after the Michigan game?
“You use it as motivation,” Dailey said. “Guys obviously started playing better after that little stretch of games that we had and honestly, I felt like what he said worked. So whoever’s hating on Cronin for that, … he knows what he’s doing. So whoever didn’t like it, they don’t have to like us.”
No one can question Cronin’s success at UCLA this time of year. His teams have gone 10-3 in the NCAA tournament, reaching the 2021 Final Four while making two additional appearances in the Sweet 16.
The Bruins are one more victory away from making the tournament’s second weekend once again, their coach telling them they have what it takes to get there.
“You’ve got to believe that you’re supposed to win in this damn tournament,” Cronin said. “The number next to your name was given to you by a bunch of people that never played basketball, in a room, so what the hell do they know? You’ve got to believe you’re supposed to advance and win.”
Samsung Galaxy Wearables Discount Offers: Samsung on Friday, March 21, announced a limited-period offer on its latest Galaxy wearables lineup. This includes the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch7, Galaxy Watch6 Classic, Galaxy Buds3 Pro, Galaxy Buds3, Galaxy Buds FE, and Galaxy Ring. Let’s check out the offers and details –
Discounts & Offers on Galaxy Wearables
Starting today, the Galaxy Watch6 Classic will be available at a discount of up to Rs 20,000, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra will be available with a discount of up to Rs 10,000. The special price on the Galaxy Watch Ultra includes an instant cashback or an upgrade bonus of Rs 10,000.
Discounts & Offers on Galaxy Buds
Consumers looking to purchase the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Galaxy Buds3 can avail an instant cashback or an upgrade bonus of up to Rs 5,000. Additionally, they can benefit from a no-cost EMI option for up to 12 months.
Customers looking to purchase select Galaxy S and Z Series smartphones can pair their purchase with latest Galaxy Wearables and enjoy offers worth up to Rs 18,000.
Offer on Galaxy Ring
Starting today, Samsung is also hosting an exclusive live commerce event on Samsung.com. Consumers purchasing the Galaxy Ring during the live commerce event will be eligible to receive a 45W Travel Adapter (worth Rs 3,499) for free, along with a no-cost EMI option for up to 24 months.
Galaxy Watch Ultra: Features and Specifications
The Galaxy Watch Ultra, the newest addition to the Galaxy Watch portfolio, is powered by a 3nm chipset and comes with the Titanium Grade 4 frame and sapphire glass display. For durability, the watch is equipped with 10ATM water resistance, an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification. It offers up to 100 hours runtime in Power Saving mode.
Galaxy Watch6 Classic: Features and Specifications
The Galaxy Watch6 Classic features a rotating bezel designed to help users build healthier habits every day and through the night. It includes health features such as Blood Pressure (BP), Electrocardiogram (ECG), and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN) tracking. According to the company, the watch boasts a slimmer bezel, a larger and more vibrant display, and an interactive user interface, along with powerful performance.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro: Features and Specifications
Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers the highest standard of Hi-Fi sound quality and comes with a revolutionary new “Blade” design that enhances audio performance to achieve studio-quality sound, according to the official release.
Powered by Galaxy AI, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro enables users to listen to real-time translation when connected to Galaxy Smartphones with Galaxy AI. It also features Adaptive EQ and Adaptive ANC, which adjust sound based on the wearing condition and environment.
It should be noted that as part of the special offers, Samsung is also offering discounts on Galaxy Watch7, Galaxy Buds3, and Galaxy Buds FE.
Offer Details:
S. No.
Model
Event Offer
1
Galaxy Watch Ultra
Rs 10000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
2
Galaxy Watch7
Rs 8000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
3
Galaxy Watch6 Classic
Starting Rs 20999
4
Galaxy Buds3 Pro
Rs 5000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
5
Galaxy Buds3
Rs 4000 Cashback or Upgrade + Up to 12M No Cost EMI
As we darted through Addis Ababa’s morning rush hour, my jet lag couldn’t dull the energy of Ethiopia’s capital. Also Read | What is airport theory? The risky 2025 travel trend of arriving just minutes before your flight
Vendors sell everything from spices to handwoven baskets and live chickens at Merkato, one of Africa’s largest open-air markets in Addis Ababa. (AP)
We wove through crowds of office workers headed to high-rises and families leading goats home for Orthodox Christmas feasts while our guide explained how one needs at least three weeks to fully experience his country. From the dramatic peaks of Simien Mountains National Park to the sprawling salt plains of the Danakil Depression, natural wonders alone could fill a month of adventure.
But there’s also plenty for time-pressed travellers like we were. “With a few days, you can get a taste,” guide Yonas Zewede of Landscape Ethiopia Tours assured me.
So, we embarked on a whirlwind trip that would prove him right, an ambitious three-day sprint through remote sacred sites and bustling city streets in this East African nation.
Evolving Addis: 48 hours in Ethiopia’s highland hub
The city, “New Flower” in Amharic, is being transformed, with construction nearly everywhere you look. Historic churches and mosques, neighbor contemporary shops and restaurants amid a forest of cranes and scaffolding.
Among its enduring treasures is Ethiopia’s most famous export: Arabica coffee. We started the day at Tomoca Coffee on Wavel Street, one of Addis’ first coffee roasters. For less than a dollar a cup, the standing-room-only institution serves up macchiatos — bold coffee with a splash of milk — or a milder blend of coffee and tea, known as a price.
Freshly roasted coffee beans and burning incense surround a traditional clay pot, or jebena, during a coffee ceremony at a hotel in Addis Ababa. (AP)
However, to fully appreciate the region’s coffee culture, one must experience a coffee ceremony, a ritual still practised in homes, restaurants and hotels across Ethiopia. Incense mixes with the aroma of beans roasting over hot coals, each batch ground by hand before being brewed in a clay pot and poured with precision, as bowls of salted popcorn circulate.
We’d have time for the full service later. For now, fortified by a quick caffeine fix, we made our way to the nearby Merkato, among Africa’s largest open-air markets. Wandering for hours through a labyrinth of alleyways, we passed vendors selling everything from fragrant spices to handwoven baskets and live chickens.
Zewede helped us thread through the chaos, dodging both traffic and towers of merchandise balancing on people’s heads, all the while keeping watch for pickpockets known to prowl the area. Before moving on, we refuelled on the side of the road with a warm chornake — a hearty, fried pastry — and fresh papaya juice.
For a more relaxed shopping experience, he brought us to Shiro Meda Market. Intricately embroidered dresses lined the walls from floor to ceiling alongside other colourful textiles. The ankle-length garments, called habesha kemis, sell for $15 to $50. At Safi Honey, we sampled exotic varieties like cactus, coffee and black cumin while delving into Ethiopia’s extensive beekeeping history.
We left with 16-ounce jars of the local delicacy at $9 each.
Anthropology enthusiasts will enjoy visiting a famous — and very ancient — resident: “Lucy,” one of the earliest hominid fossils. For a 40-cent entrance fee, the National Museum of Ethiopia has exhibitions on African art history and human evolution. A plaster replica of Lucy’s partial skeleton is on display, while her original remains are safely preserved in the museum’s vault.
As dusk settled over Addis, we made our way to the stylish 360 Lounge atop the Monarch Parkview Hotel. Here, one of the best views of the capital’s evolving skyline unfolded — modern towers rising above older tree-lined neighbourhoods.
Ancient Lalibela: 24 hours in the sacred city
We took a short, one-hour flight north to the Amhara Region, an area, it should be noted, where several countries maintain travel warnings due to recurring conflicts. We were transported to what felt like another Ethiopia entirely. Bouncing two to a seat in a sweltering van, we drove through rural highlands, mountain curves and scattered herds of livestock.
Construction cranes rise over the skyline of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, seen from the rooftop 360 Lounge at Monarch Parkview Hotel. (AP)
The destination proved worthwhile: Lalibela, a site that some consider an Eighth Wonder of the World.
More than 800 years ago, King Lalibela set out to create a “New Jerusalem” with 11 churches painstakingly carved out of solid volcanic rock. The craftsmanship is so extraordinary — using only 12th and 13th century hand tools — that local legend claims angels helped build them.
Beneath these architectural marvels lie catacombs and ceremonial passages, including a pitch-black tunnel said to represent the journey through hell.
We found ourselves among thousands of pilgrims who had converged on Lalibela for the upcoming Orthodox Christmas. They formed seemingly endless processions through the hallowed passageways. Many had traveled on foot for weeks to reach this holy place and mark the end of their 43-day fast. We squeezed into the stone structures among worshippers deep in prayer. Many kissed the weathered walls; some paused to snap photos with us.
We began at Biete Medhane Alem, believed to be the largest monolithic church in the world, according to UNESCO. Its grand scale was remarkable, with more than 30 imposing columns adorning its exterior. But Biete Ghiorgis, or Church of Saint George, was the most memorable site, with its iconic cross shape. Peering down into its sunken courtyard, it was easy to see how this blend of nature, architecture and spirituality has captivated visitors for centuries.
Later, at Kana Restaurant and Bar overlooking Lalibela, we lingered over aromatic awaze tibs (a spicy meat dish) and hearty vegetable stews served on fresh Ethiopian flatbread, or injera. We watched the sun sink behind distant mountains, knowing we’d barely scratched the surface of Ethiopia -– and already planning our return.
Before you go:
— Many visitors, including Americans, are eligible for Ethiopian E-visas online or visas on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
— Despite a 2022 peace agreement in the northern region of Tigray, travellers should note that several countries maintain travel warnings for parts of Ethiopia, including the Amhara Region, due to recurring conflicts.
— Stay connected by purchasing an Ethio Telecom SIM card at the Addis airport — it offers coverage in both Addis Ababa and Lalibela.
— Consider booking with a tour company like Landscape Ethiopia Tours to maximize your itinerary during a brief visit or layover.
John Wayne, real name Marion Morrison, made 170 movies during his incredible Hollywood career from the 1920s silent era to the mid-1970s. Duke dominated the Golden Age of cinema as a box office king for three decades. He quickly became an American icon, best known for his Westerns. Yet, which are the very best John Wayne movies? Film fan database IMDb has rated the Top 10, but you may be surprised that neither The Searchers, True Grit or Rio Bravo made it to No 1.
9. Fort Apache (1948)
In 1947, John Ford and John Wayne kicked off the first of their Calvary Trilogy movies in Fort Apache. Like She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, the movie was filmed in the director’s favoured Monument Valley where the blazing heat, high winds and desert storms proved a challenging shoot for the cast and crew. Set after the American Civil War, Wayne played Captain Kirby York, the acting commander of Fort Apache, an isolated US cavalry post in the Arizona frontier. The officer soon finds himself clashing with Henry Fonda’s stubborn Lieutenant Colonel, who arrives to take over command with his daughter, played by Shirley Temple.
When is a Volkswagen Transporter not really a Volkswagen Transporter?
Caravelle
When Volkswagen gets into bed with Ford to produce its seventh-generation mid-sized delivery van. At least that’s what the dyed-in-the-wool VW-loving tradies will be saying — and have been saying online — about this all-new Transporter.
It all comes down to cost saving, and to boost the profitability of its commercial vehicle lineups, Ford and Volkswagen entered into this partnership back in 2017.
The agreement saw Volkswagen lead the small van side of things with the Caddy and Ford Transit Connect that’s sold in Europe, while Ford is responsible for the mid-sized van — the Transit Custom and this Transporter — and the Ranger ute and its Amarok cousin.
Both brands are keen to point out that each is developed to their respective standards and criteria, so ultimately it’s all about splitting the engineering costs. Volkswagen representatives at the global Transporter launch were cagey when discussing what’s theirs and what’s Ford’s, but they did acknowledge that Ford is the market leader when it comes to vans (at least in Europe).
eTransporter
Nonetheless, VW offers a broad range of models and variants including the Transporter panel van, Kombi crew cab, nine-seat people mover and even dropside body types, and will offer two wheelbase lengths and two roof heights alongside diesel, electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive layouts — the latter badged as 4Motion.
The passenger market-oriented Caravelle provides seating for up to eight people and comes with diesel or electric power.
Ahead of its Australian release later this year, at international launch of the new T7 we tried three different versions: the diesel Transporter, the battery-powered e-Transporter and the people-moving electric e-Caravelle.
How does the Volkswagen Transporter compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Volkswagen Transporter against similarly sized vehicles.
Volkswagen
Transporter
How much does the Volkswagen Transporter cost?
There are no official prices yet for the new-generation Volkswagen Transporter, as it’s not due to arrive in Australia until mid-2025 at the earliest.
Transporter
For reference, the outgoing Transporter has a starting price of $42,790 before on-roads for the reduced payload version. If pricing remains aligned with the outgoing Transporter, expect to be paying upwards of $46,000 before on-road costs for TDI diesel models.
To see how the Volkswagen Transporter stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What is the Volkswagen Transporter like on the inside?
The front cabin of the Transporter is a blend of hard-wearing materials and modern tech, with an upright dashboard layout that houses a dual-screen setup.
Caravelle
All that differentiates it from the Ford Transit Custom is the Volkswagen multifunction steering wheel, which is nice to hold but means it doesn’t get the Ford’s nifty folding steering wheel that can transform into a table or worktop when parked.
Aside from some fiddly temperature controls housed within the touchscreen that require too many stabs of your finger and are annoying to use on the move, the infotainment system works well, and having wireless phone mirroring is a boon.
The optional wireless charging pad is tucked away down low, leaving it ripe for you to forget your phone when you get out of the van.
We do like how many USB charge ports are available, including additional ones in the open tray on top of the dash. An extra compartment above the usual glovebox boosts storage options inside, as well, and with the gear shifter and electronic parking brake moving onto the centre dashboard below the touchscreen, there’s more space around the floor, making it easier to scoot across to the other side if needed.
The optional rear-view camera provides unimpeded views of what’s behind, and regardless of bulkhead or rear doors is a useful bit of technology.
When it comes to how much the Transporter can carry, one of the headline figures is the amount of extra width there now is between the rear wheel-arches. There’s another 148mm between them, and in long-wheelbase guise the Transporter can now carry three Euro pallets.
Irrespective of powertrain, the rear cargo area is identical in size and shape, which is a plus if you’ve got multiple vans to fit out with mixed drivetrains.
Volkswagen will offer a dual-cab or crew-cab body in addition to a dropside, but for those seeking a true MPV, the passenger-centric Caravelle can move eight people in relative comfort and still has much of the versatility of a van. Its rear seats can be reconfigured or even removed as needed.
eTransporter
Multiple child seat mounting points and extra USB charge ports mean the Caravelle can be as much of a solution for larger families as for cargo professionals.
To see how the Volkswagen Transporter stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
There is a wide range of powertrains with multiple power outputs available across diesel combustion engines and pure electric variants, which are badged as the e-Transporter and e-Caravelle in Europe. There will also be a plug-in hybrid petrol powertrain coming, but this won’t arrive until later in 2026.
eTransporter
Volkswagen did confirm to CarExpert that it is developing a smaller capacity battery for the e-Transporter that uses an 85kW electric motor to create a more affordable variant that will be suitable for shorter duty cycles. This is undergoing final homologation and is expected to be added to the range later in 2025.
Specifications
Volkswagen Transporter
Volkswagen e-Transporter
Engine
2.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel
Single-motor
Battery
–
63.8kWh li-ion
Power
125kW
160kW
Engine torque
390Nm
415Nm
Transmission
8-speed auto
1-speed
Driven wheels
FWD
RWD
Weight (kerb)
1910kg
TBC
Payload
964.7kg
TBC
Gross vehicle mass (GVM)
2800kg
TBC
Unbraked towing capacity
750kg
TBC
Braked towing capacity
2800kg
2300kg
Maximum tow ball download
112kg
TBC
Gross combined mass (GCM)
5300kg
TBC
CO2 (claim)
198g/km (combined)
–
Fuel economy (claim)
7.5L/100km
–
Fuel economy (observed)
8.7L/100km (mixed driving, no payload)
–
Fuel tank size
55L (20L AdBlue)
–
Claimed range (WLTP)
–
320km
Max AC charge rate
–
11kW
Max DC charge rate
–
125kW
To see how the Volkswagen Transporter stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Volkswagen Transporter drive?
Right from the get-go, we like the elevated driving position that the Transporter provides, especially in comparison to other vans in the same segment. You get a good view of the road and credit to Volkswagen for installing side mirrors that aren’t too bulky yet provide good visibility.
eTransporter
We do think that the standard seats could be a bit more comfortable, but the level of adjustability in both the seat and the steering wheel (for reach and rake) makes finding a suitable driving position quite easy.
The 125kW diesel engine has decent pulling power and good levels of refinement in terms of noise and vibration. Its eight-speed automatic gearbox is pleasant to use, generally shifting effortlessly whether going up or down the gears. You get the best results from it when you don’t hustle it along too quickly.
As refined as the TDI may be, the electric e-Transporter ushers in a whole other level of smoothness and quietness. Interestingly, despite multiple power outputs across the electric range, all motors generate the same level of torque, which is key to hauling heavier loads.
Other than the obvious difference in power delivery, the ride comfort and quality of the diesel and electric Transporters are quite similar. The suspension can seem a little busy at times with its vertical movements, but both vans were empty in the rear for our test drive.
That aside, it steers nicely and feels quite manoeuvrable in urban settings. The suite of cameras available provides a 360-degree view to help in tighter spaces, but this is a van that feels every bit as adept at doing city centre deliveries as it is at covering longer distances on the highway.
To see how the Volkswagen Transporter stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
Volkswagen is putting an emphasis on technology in the Transporter. That means even the most basic entry-grade panel van gets LED headlights and tail-lights, while the interior gets a dual-screen dashboard layout — an upgrade over the previous Transporter.
There will be two digital displays on the dashboard: a 12-inch driver’s instrument cluster and a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen with DAB+ digital radio and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. All models will come with a multifunction steering wheel, keyless start and numerous driver assistance systems as standard, too.
Flagship PanAmericana versions are differentiated by grained bumpers, sill and wheel-arch trims plus 17-inch Monte Carlo alloy wheels. Exclusive upholstery inside carries the PanAmericana name and the driver’s seat is an eight-way electrically adjustable unit with lumbar support, and the front passenger even gets a six-way adjustable seat.
2025 Volkswagen Transporter equipment highlights:
Six powertrains from launch, three diesel and three electric
Front- or all-wheel drive drivetrains
Up to 2800kg towing capacity
Wider cargo area between wheel-arches
Rugged PanAmericana version
13-inch touchscreen as standard
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Pixel LED daytime running lights
Electric version gets 125kW DC charging
360-degree camera system available
Up to 2300W electrical output for tools
To see how the Volkswagen Transporter stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the Volkswagen Transporter safe?
This Transporter has yet to be assessed by either Euro NCAP or ANCAP, though going by the current crop of other Volkswagen commercial vehicles, it should score well.
The Volkswagen Caddy, Caddy Cargo, Multivan and Amarok all scored five-star NCAP ratings between 2021 and 2022, so we see little reason for the Transporter to not do the same. Tellingly, the Ford Transit Custom, which shares much of its underpinnings with the Transporter, achieved a 96 per cent ‘Platinum’ rating from ANCAP in 2024.
Standard safety equipment includes:
Front airbags
LED daytime running lights and headlights
Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring
Swerve Support and oncoming vehicle braking when turning
Lane keep assist
Cruise control with intelligent speed assist
Rear parking sensors
eCall emergency call system
Airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags and curtain airbags in the cab, curtain airbags in the passenger compartment (Caravelle)
To see how the Volkswagen Transporter stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How much does the Volkswagen Transporter cost to run?
Volkswagen Australia provides all commercial vehicles with a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance for the first year.
Assuming that Volkswagen applies the same warranty conditions to the e-Transporter and e-Caravelle as it does to its other electric passenger vehicles, the high-voltage traction battery would be covered for eight years/160,000km, whichever occurs first. This warranty is based on the battery maintaining 70 per cent of the net energy content.
Running costs
Volkswagen Transporter
Warranty
5 years, unlimited kilometres
Battery warranty
8 years, 160,000 kilometres
Roadside assistance
5 years
Capped-price servicing
TBC
The WLTP combined driving range of the Volkswagen e-Transporter is between 294 and 357km for the standard wheelbase and 289-530km for the long-wheelbase version.
Energy consumption for short- and long-wheelbase models varies between 19.9-25.5kWh/100km and 20.2-25.9kWh/100km, respectively. On the diesel side of things, the TDI’s fuel consumption varies between 6.9-8.9L/100km and 7.0-9.0L/100km for the short- and long-wheelbase versions, respectively.
To see how the Volkswagen Transporter stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Volkswagen Transporter
Volkswagen diehards are unlikely to be impressed by the Transporter as it feels more like a Ford, but everyone else will find that it performs well and drives to a very high standard, surpassing many other rivals when it comes to refinement.
The battery-powered version isn’t shy of torque and takes a lot of the strain out of driving, while the e-Caravelle is the answer for those for whom a large SUV doesn’t cut it in terms of practicality.
Interested in buying a Volkswagen Transporter? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Namita Thapar stressed that parenting involves the critical responsibility of providing time and love, not just financial support. She emphasised that this is as important as one’s career
Namita Thapar said that many people become so engrossed in their careers that they fail to allocate time for their families. (News18 Hindi)
Namita Thapar, a prominent investor from Shark Tank India and Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, has recently made a significant statement about work-life balance that has ignited a debate on social media.
Thapar argued that individuals working 70 hours a week should reconsider marriage and parenting, as such demanding schedules prevent them from dedicating adequate time to their families and children.
In an interview with ‘Humans of Bombay’, Thapar discussed the challenging lifestyles of working professionals, noting that many people become so engrossed in their careers that they fail to allocate time for their families.
She stated, “If you are working 70 hours or more a week and barely sleeping, when will you have time for your child or partner? If you cannot be present enough as a parent, it will only cause stress and trouble for the family.”
Thapar emphasised that being a parent entails a responsibility to care for one’s child, which is equally important as one’s career. She stressed that financial support alone from parents is insufficient; their time and love are crucial as well.
During the discussion, Thapar also urged companies to take responsibility. She acknowledged that higher-level executives might need to work more for their careers but asserted, “It is essential for regular employees to maintain a balance in working hours. Companies must understand that working 70 hours weekly should not become the norm. While it may be acceptable temporarily due to project deadlines, a continuous schedule like this can be mentally and physically harmful.”
Thapar’s comments elicited mixed reactions on social media. Some individuals appreciated her perspective, highlighting the importance of work-life balance. One user remarked, “Namita has put forward a truth. Many people become so busy with their careers that they neglect their children. Work-life balance is very important.”
Conversely, others criticised her view. One user questioned, “If this logic is followed, then doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals should not have children because their jobs are also highly demanding.” Another user argued, “Women should not be forced to choose only between career and family. They should have the option to balance both.”
The debate around work-life balance has intensified with Thapar’s statement. In today’s fast-paced world, this issue has gained significant importance. Many companies are now making strides in this direction by offering flexible working hours, hybrid models, and work-from-home options. However, in several industries, extra working hours are still seen as a success mantra.
Location :
Delhi, India, India
News business ‘Think Twice Before Marriage And Kids’: Namita Thapar’s Advice On Advice On 70-Hour Week Sparks Debate
Bulk orders for refurbished laptops for sale are widely available through various wholesale platforms, specialized refurbishers, and B2B suppliers. Businesses, educational institutions, and government organizations often seek bulk quantities of refurbished laptops to meet their technology needs while maintaining budget efficiency. Wholesale platforms offer large-scale deals on refurbished laptops, making them a cost-effective solution for organizations seeking to equip multiple users. Bulk orders allow buyers to negotiate better pricing, access discounts, and customize their orders based on specific hardware or software requirements. This makes purchasing refurbished laptops in bulk an attractive option for companies looking to reduce IT expenses while still acquiring reliable devices.
When purchasing bulk quantities of refurbished laptops for sale, buyers have access to a range of models from leading brands such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Apple. These laptops are typically restored to full working condition, with faulty components replaced and operating systems reinstalled. Bulk orders often include warranties and after-sales support, ensuring the devices are fully functional and reliable. Companies buying in large volumes may also benefit from custom imaging services, where the refurbisher installs specific software or settings before shipment. This service is particularly useful for businesses or educational institutions that need identical configurations across all devices.
One of the key advantages of buying refurbished laptops in bulk is the significant cost savings compared to purchasing new devices. Refurbished laptops offer the same functionality as new ones but at a fraction of the price, making them a practical solution for large-scale deployment. Businesses can allocate their IT budgets more effectively by investing in bulk orders, enabling them to acquire more units or allocate resources to other operational areas. Furthermore, many wholesale suppliers offer tiered pricing, where the cost per unit decreases as the order quantity increases, making bulk purchases even more economical.
Are bulk orders available for refurbished laptops for sale?
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Spring is the season for fresh starts, and there’s no better time to give your new home the deep clean it deserves. You’ve moved in, but between lingering dust, grime, and maybe even a little mold in the bathroom, things might not feel as fresh as they should. Don’t stress — with a few focused spring cleaning steps, you’ll have your new space sparkling, sanitized, and ready to enjoy in no time.
No matter how clean the former tenants left your new place, undoubtedly, you’ll find areas you’ll want to give another scrub because this will be the only chance you’ll ever get to clean your apartment or house when it is empty. It’s also a fantastic way to quickly learn about your new home’s nooks and crannies.
Read on to learn the best way to deep clean a new apartment or house so that you can move in with confidence and enjoy your healthy, fresh-smelling home.
To start cleaning, remove any debris from floors, walls and closets
Make sure your new home is completely cleared out before you start cleaning. Take a few minutes to walk through every room with a garbage bag or can, tossing out any trash or items left behind.
Check the walls for nails, screws or other forgotten hardware, particularly anything sharp, jagged or otherwise dangerous. You could fill the holes now when it’s easier to clean up, but properly patching nail holes isn’t simple. If the holes are small I’d recommend waiting until you’re ready to paint or refinish the wall.
Also check your refrigerator, oven, washing machine and other inherited appliances to make sure they are empty. Throw out anything that’s been left behind, or donate items and recycle e-waste as necessary.
Next, gather your cleaning supplies
You may encounter a lot of different things you’ll want to clean, requiring different methods of cleaning. These are the basic tools I have on hand:
Rubber gloves
Bucket with handle (2 to 3 gallon)
Spray bottle
Cleaning scrubbers
A toothbrush or other small scrub brush
White vinegar
Baking soda
Fresh lemon
Diluted multipurpose commercial cleaner (I like Simple Green)
Rags or cloths for dusting, drying and wiping
Dust wand
Vacuum
Hot water source
There’s no need to spend a lot of money on special cleaning products. A combination of vinegar and hot water makes a great cleaner and dish soap can fill the gaps for those items that shouldn’t be cleaned with vinegar.
Clean any appliances in your new home
If your new home has existing appliances like a refrigerator, dishwasher or microwave, they’re a great place to start your deep clean. First, you want to be able to use these appliances as soon as possible. Second, many of these appliances deal with food and dirt, with potential bacteria or mold that can cause illness.
Before you clean the oven or the refrigerator, if possible, move them both out from the wall to wipe down the sides, back and floor of the units (as well as the floor underneath) with a combination of two parts hot water and one part white vinegar or your favorite commercial cleaner.
If the area isn’t too bad, you can use the spray bottle and a cloth scrubber or sponge. For more serious cleaning work, fill up the bucket, mop down the area manually with a scrubber, and then dry well with a clean rag.
Most ovens have self-cleaning modes. After making sure the oven is empty and cleaning behind it, push it back against the wall and run the cleaning cycle while you tackle the rest of the appliances and kitchen.
If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, don’t worry. It’s not that hard to clean your oven manually with items you already have in the kitchen, and you don’t have to use toxic cleaners.
Remove the oven racks and wash them in the sink with hot water and soap. Then create a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water, and spread it around the oven, avoiding the heating elements. A bit of fresh lemon in the paste will help remove odors. For tough stains, work the paste in with a toothbrush. Let the paste sit for 12 or more hours while you clean the rest of the house, and then wipe the oven out with a damp cloth.
While you’re waiting, clean the stovetop. For a gas cooktop, remove the grates and wash them with hot soapy water. Use a bucket with hot water and soap to scrub the rest of the cooktop surface. For an electric cooktop, a combination of baking soda and vinegar should get most of the surface clean. Tough, burned-on stains can be removed with a razor-edge scraper. For induction cooktops, you can use the same vinegar and baking soda combination, but use a soft cleaning cloth instead of a scrubber.
Next, clean your refrigerator: Remove shelves or drawers and wash them with hot water and soap in your sink. Using the hot water and vinegar in a spray bottle and a scrubber, wipe down all of the interior surfaces and shelves. Dry it all with a clean towel.
Use a fresh lemon for pesky food stains. Once the inside of the fridge is clean, replace the dried shelves and drawers, and repeat the process with your freezer. Make sure the water in the spray bottle is hot to keep it from sticking in the freezer.
You can use the same water-vinegar solution in your spray bottle to clean out your microwave, washing machine, dryer and other appliances.
Be sure to check your washing machine for mold, especially front-loading machines with rubber gaskets. If you do find mold in your washer, you can scrub it out with the same hot water-vinegar solution, or try a combination of bleach and water for tougher jobs.
After appliances, clean the rest of the kitchen
Get the hardest cleaning job out of the way first while preparing your new home for meals. Kitchens can be challenging to clean because they often have stains and grease that come with cooking food. They also have many “high-touch” surfaces.
A general rule for cleaning any room is “start high, finish low,” since dust and dirt will fall to the floor as you clean. Use a dust wand or vacuum extension to clean the ceiling, particularly the corners, ceiling fans, and above and under any cabinets. Then dust the cabinets themselves, countertops, tables and any other furniture.
Because cabinets can trap food grease and grime, you’ll probably need to wipe them all down with more of the same water-vinegar solution you used for your fridge. Get the toothbrush out to scrub small grooves or hard-to-clean spots. Be careful if your cabinets are waxed, as vinegar can make the surface cloudy. In that case, you’ll need a special furniture cleaner for waxed surfaces. If you’re not sure, clean a small section of the wood in a nonvisible area as a test.
For persistent grease stains on cabinets, try a fresh lemon or a paste of one part baking soda and two parts water.
For countertops, your cleaning materials will depend upon your surface. For stone countertops like granite, quartz or marble, vinegar can etch the surface because of its acidity. You’ll also want to skip vinegar for wood or stainless steel. Instead, use a combination of dish soap and hot water. Countertops made of laminate or soapstone can be cleaned with the usual water-vinegar mixture or a multipurpose cleaner.
To clean your kitchen sink, sprinkle a bit of baking soda all over the basin, spray dish soap on top of it, and wipe it down with a scrubber, starting from the top and working your way down to the drain.
Pro Tip: The worst grease stains can be countered with a combination of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. The mixture also makes a fantastic grout cleaner (see bathrooms next). You’ll need to only make a small amount at a time. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda release carbon dioxide, making long-term storage a bad idea.
Get your bathrooms sparkling clean
Bathrooms — another room with high-touch surfaces and plenty of germs — are the next areas in need of the deep-clean treatment after your kitchen.
Clean dry before you clean wet. Dust the bathroom from top to bottom, taking care to get the areas above light fixtures and medicine cabinets.
Next, scrub down the shower and tub, using our standard spray bottle with warm water and vinegar and a scrubbing cloth. A fresh lemon with a little salt works well at removing hard water stains on shower heads and faucets. For tough soap scum, add dish soap to your water and vinegar.
You can use a commercial cleaning product for the toilet bowl, or try a combination of water, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and essential oils for fragrance. Use a scrubbing brush on the bowl, starting with the area under the rim and moving down toward the drain. (Again, don’t store any combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda long-term due to carbon dioxide off-gassing.)
Pro Tip: For tough mineral stains in your toilet, shut off the water supply, flush the toilet to empty the bowl, and then fill it up with two liters of Coca-Cola, or however much you need to cover the stains. The phosphoric and citric acid in the soda work wonders for removing limescale or rust stains, but you’ll need to let it sit for at least a few hours.
For mirrors, grab the spray bottle with water and vinegar again, but be judicious with the amount. Spray a small bit of the solution onto a cleaning cloth and wipe very top to bottom, taking care not to rewipe the same area to avoid streaks. Use a fresh spot on your cloth for each downward stroke.
If you have oils, grease or toothpaste smears on the mirror that don’t disappear after wiping, use a bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad to address the problem spots, then wipe again with a clean cloth using water and vinegar.
For dirty bathroom tile grout, our super-potent combination of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap also works well. Brush the paste onto the grout with a toothbrush and let it sit for an hour before cleaning off.
Move on to the bedrooms, living room, dining room, family room and the rest
After you’ve taken on the kitchen and bathrooms, the rest of the house won’t feel nearly as tough. In each room, start with the dust wand or vacuum extension again to clear cobwebs and dust from the ceiling corners or molding.
A vacuum attachment is super useful for windows. Suck up as much dirt and debris as you can from the window frame, and then use our water-vinegar combination with a cleaning cloth to get the rest. Tight corners and grooves provide another opportunity for the toothbrush.
To clean windows, first remove any screens and brush or vacuum them. If they’re dirty you can wash them with soap and water and leave them to dry. For the glass, use a combination of warm water, vinegar and dish soap, spraying on a cleaning cloth and wiping from top to bottom, much like cleaning your bathroom mirror. Again, rubbing alcohol can help with grease or oil smudges.
Finish with your floors
After you’ve cleaned your entire home from top to bottom, you can probably guess what comes last — the floors. Start by sweeping and vacuuming the entire house, then mopping your kitchen, bathroom and any other tile or laminate flooring.
For wood floors, you want to use a cleaner with a balanced pH level, which means you’ll want to dilute your standard mixture: one part vinegar to 10 parts water. A diluted vinegar solution should be fine for a polyurethane finish, but avoid using vinegar completely if you have a wax finish; use a commercial wood floor cleaner instead.
In general, you’ll want to wash your wood floors as little as possible. Instead, sweep regularly and use a dry microfiber cloth or mop to remove standard dust and dirt.
If your wood floors have been scratched heavily or otherwise damaged, contact professional floor refinishing companies for estimates on fixing them. A bit of money can make a huge difference for wood floors.
For tile and laminate, be sure to check the cleaning instructions for your specific floor material, though a combination of hot water and dish soap should be safe for such flooring.
If you have any carpeting in your new home, consider renting a commercial carpet cleaner. The most common devices use hot water extraction (commonly called “steam cleaning”) to clean deep down into the carpet, where bacteria, bugs and who knows what else could be hiding. You’ll need to let the carpet dry for at least a day after deep cleaning it.
For more home cleaning tips, learn how a clean space can improve your mental health and how to remove the trickiest stains.
Heat exposure has been linked to lasting benefits for overall health.
Spending time in heated environments, like a sauna, can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases and can help improve sleep, research has shown.
In an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital, Todd Anderson, co-founder of Dream Performance & Recovery and host of the “Beat the Heat” podcast, shared some lesser-known effects of spending time in a sauna.
SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE CAN BRING LIFE-CHANGING HEALTH BENEFITS, EXPERT SAYS
“Sauna went from this thing that felt good, to something that could actually be a longevity tool,” said the Nashville-based health and wellness expert. “The combination of this hard science and the explosion in longevity and popularity has created something.”
Spending time in a sauna can have multiple health benefits, studies have shown.(iStock)
Increased “sauna bathing” has been associated with a reduced risk of sudden cardiac death, fatal coronary heart disease, fatal cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, according to research from Finland.
Participants in a global sauna survey in 2019 also reported health benefits regarding mental well-being and sleep, with few adverse effects.
The survey found that participants — particularly from Finland, Australia and the U.S. — were most motivated to use saunas for relaxation.
How heat improves sleep
While saunas can improve longevity and mood, Anderson, whose podcast is hosted inside a sauna, added that heat exposure can also improve sleep.
JUST ONE NIGHT OF POOR SLEEP COULD HAVE THESE SURPRISING HEALTH EFFECTS
When the body heats up before sleep, the blood vessels open, allowing the body to get more circulation to the extremities, he said.
Although the body’s core temperature needs to cool down by about a degree to fall into quality sleep, raising the body temperature might seem “counterintuitive,” the expert added.
When the body heats up before sleep, the blood vessels open, allowing the body to get more circulation to the extremities, an expert said.(iStock)
But since the blood vessels are open and pumping more blood, this allows the core temperature to lower faster, and the body’s instinct is to cool itself off after being exposed to heat.
“You go into a cold, dark room … and all of a sudden you’re able to lower your core temperature much more quickly than you normally would, resulting in falling asleep faster and getting higher quality sleep throughout that first part of the night,” Anderson said.
“Plenty of evidence shows that viruses do not do well in environments with high temperatures.”
The expert added that the same sleep benefits can be captured with a hot bath, shower or hot tub.
“The longevity and all-cause mortality benefits are going to be connected particularly to the sauna,” he said. “But there are some great sleep studies [showing the benefits] of applying any type of heat before bed.”
Viruses don’t like it hot
Exposure to heat can also help boost the immune system, as the body’s natural response to fighting a bug is to spike a fever, according to critical care physician Dr. Roger Seheult.
BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH THESE 8 SIMPLE STEPS
Methods like steam saunas raise the body’s natural temperature and can help kill off viruses that don’t fare well in the heat, he said.
“Plenty of evidence shows that viruses do not do well in environments with high temperatures, and that our body signals the innate immune system using fever,” the California-based doctor told Fox News Digital.
Methods like steam saunas raise the body’s natural temperature and can help kill off viruses that don’t fare well in the heat.(iStock)
In addition to the health benefits, Anderson noted that he’s made lasting friendships during sauna sessions.
“It’s a rare bubble in our society right now where phones don’t work. You’re face-to-face. You’re going through some controlled adversity,” he told Fox News Digital. “There [are] just so many things that I think have dissipated from our society that are brought back to life in a sauna.”
BENEFITS OF COLD WATER: HEALTH GURU AND EXTREME ATHLETE WIM HOF SAYS WE HAVE ‘POWER WITHIN’ TO HEAL DISEASE
“When you go through stress together, your brain is wired, and it promotes connection with other people.”
Accessibility for all
Enjoying a sauna doesn’t have to require a luxury health club membership, according to Anderson, as saunas have been popularized in many cultures for generations.
“There are ways to make them with scrap wood and there are some different, cheap heating options,” he said.
Todd Anderson (right) sits outside his sauna after a session with “Beat the Heat” guest Ken Rideout.(Todd Anderson)
In Finland, a country where saunas are a part of the everyday routine, there are more than five million people and three million saunas, noted Anderson, who recently visited there.
“Almost everybody has a sauna at their house,” he shared.
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In many countries, saunas are part of the overall culture and can have healing properties, Anderson went on.
“It’s a feeling. It’s very stress-free, in tune with their body connection. Families do it together. It’s this spiritual thing.”
In many countries, saunas are part of the overall culture and can have healing properties, Anderson said.(iStock)
Proper practice and potential risk
The average person will lose a pint of sweat during a short session in a sauna’s dry heat, according to Harvard Health.
“The pulse rate jumps by 30% or more, allowing the heart to nearly double the amount of blood it pumps each minute,” stated the Harvard Medical School publication.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“Most of the extra blood flow is directed to the skin; in fact, the circulation actually shunts blood away from the internal organs. Blood pressure is unpredictable, rising in some people but falling in others.”
While saunas are generally safe for most people, Harvard Health cautioned that people with uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart disease should check with their doctors before participating.
“A sauna’s dry heat (which can get as high as 185°F) has profound effects on the body,” Harvard Health wrote.(iStock)
Sauna-goers should also avoid alcohol and medications that may “impair sweating and produce overheating before and after your sauna,” according to the same source.
Harvard advised staying in the sauna for no more than 15 to 20 minutes and gradually cooling down after.
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Drinking two to four glasses of cool water is also encouraged after a session.
“Don’t take a sauna when you are ill,” Harvard Health warned. “And if you feel unwell during your sauna, head for the door.”
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
Idli is one of the most popular South Indian delicacies. Typically made with lentils and rice, this beloved dish is enjoyed by desis worldwide. While the classic idli is a crowd-pleaser, many variations exist, including rava idli, ragi idli, oats idli and carrot idli. Now, a unique version called banana leaf idli chutney is winning hearts on Instagram. Shared by a content creator named Jyoti Kalburgi, this recipe has become a hit among foodies online. The video begins with Jyoti cutting a banana leaf into small square pieces. Using toothpicks, she folds and seals them into tiny katoris (bowls). She then fills each banana leaf katori halfway with idli batter, adds a layer of grated coconut and tops it with another layer of batter. After that, these prepared katoris are placed inside a steamer.
Also Read: Love Idli? Try This Oats Idli Recipe For Breakfast
For the chutney, Jyoti blends groundnuts, coriander leaves, red chilies, garlic cloves, salt, red chili powder and chopped onions with a little bit of water to achieve a smooth texture. Once the idlis are perfectly steamed, they are carefully taken out and topped with a spoonful of this chutney. Before serving, each idli is garnished with grated coconut for an extra burst of flavour.
The caption simply read, “Banana Leaf Idli Chutney.”
Also Read: Actor Dalip Tahil Gives Viral Dosa, Idli, Sambar, Chutney, Chutney Trend A Sindhi Spin
The video has garnered over 8 lakh views. Food lovers flooded the comments section with appreciation.
A user wrote, “It’s looking tempting and cute. Great idea for a party snack.”
Another one added, “So satisfying video.”
Many simply commented, “Looks great.”
“Please send chutney recipe. It looks very yummy,” requested a foodie.
Someone asked, “Are the peanuts roasted or raw?”
An Instagrammer suggested, “Add a little desi ghee on top of red chutney, it will be very nice.”
What do you think about this recipe? Tell us in the comments section below.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-20/Xi-Jinping-urges-opening-new-ground-for-development-in-Yunnan-1BTKuJhtoAw/img/940099fcfafe4b6b8126d6e96ba36fdd/940099fcfafe4b6b8126d6e96ba36fdd.png' alt='Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects the city of Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, March 19, 2025. /Xinhua'
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on southwest China’s Yunnan Province to break new ground for its development in the pursuit of Chinese modernization.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection tour in the province on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gautam Adani is in advanced talks to buy the Indian unit of Dubai-based developer Emaar Group at a potential enterprise value of $1.4 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, helping Asia’s second-richest person expand in real estate.
The Adani family and Emaar are discussing the structure of a transaction, which could include an unlisted Adani unit infusing about $400 million in equity, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.
An agreement could be reached soon as April, but there’s no guarantee of a deal as talks are ongoing, the people said.
Representatives for Adani Group and Emaar didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Emaar said in January it was in discussions with some groups in India, including Adani, about a potential sale of a stake in Emaar India Ltd.
Portfolio boost
An acquisition of the Emaar unit would enlarge Adani’s real estate portfolio in India, which covers 24 million square feet of property and another 61 million under development, according to its website.
The Adani family’s real estate unit emerged as the top bidder to redevelop one of the largest housing projects in Mumbai at an estimated 360 billion rupees, Bloomberg News reported this month.
Adani is also in redeveloping Mumbai’s Dharavi slum, one of the biggest in the world and the backdrop to Hollywood movie Slumdog Millionaire.
Emaar India is developing residential and commercial projects in places including New Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
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Što je na sniženju?
Na popustu su različiti modeli tenisica – od onih za trčanje i trening do onih za svakodnevno nošenje. Osim obuće, u akciju su uključeni i odjevni komadi poput majica, hlača, jakni i tajica, kao i modni dodaci poput torbi. Bez obzira na to tražite li novu opremu za trening ili stylish dodatak za ležerne kombinacije, ponuda pokriva sve.
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LEXINGTON, Ky. — UCLA was trying to maintain a double-digit lead early in the second half when it suffered what looked like a devastating loss.
Sophomore center Aday Mara, who had been dominating Utah State on both ends of the court, rolled his left ankle and limped off the court, sitting on the end of the bench while trainer Tyler Lesher tended to his injury.
What did the Bruins do for the next few minutes with their biggest difference-maker sidelined in their NCAA tournament opener?
They rolled up an even bigger cushion.
Skyy Clark buried one three-pointer and Kobe Johnson followed a three-pointer from one corner with one from the other, kissing his fingers and raising them to the roaring crowd inside Rupp Arena.
There were even more encouraging developments to come for the Bruins. Mara put a support wrap on his ankle and returned before seventh-seeded UCLA closed out the 10th-seeded Aggies with relative ease, their 72-47 victory in a Midwest Region first-round game Thursday night not drawing any uncomfortable parallels to a bunch of late-game letdowns earlier in the season.
The Bruins (23-10) will play second-seeded Tennessee in the second round Sunday after getting excellent guard to play to go with Mara’s 10 points, six rebounds, five blocks and two assists in only 18 minutes.
Clark made four of seven three-pointers on the way to 14 points and Dylan Andrews added lock-down defense on Utah State’s Ian Martinez (two points on one-for-11 shooting) to go with eight points and eight assists against only one turnover. Forward Eric Dailey Jr. finished with 12 of his 14 points in the second half.
Guard Mason Falslev tallied 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Aggies (26-8), who shot 30% to the Bruins’ 48.1%
UCLA arrived here needing a palate cleanser following its blowout loss in its Big Ten tournament opener against Wisconsin, who Bruins coach Mick Cronin referred to as the Boston Celtics because of the Badgers’ similar ability to make gobs of three-pointers.
Utah State guard Mason Falslev, left, and UCLA guard Kobe Johnson battle for a loose ball during the second half Thursday.
(Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)
Playing Utah State represented a do-over of sorts given the guard-heavy Aggies’ love of long-range shots. The Bruins did a much better job of sticking with their man, holding Utah State to two for 17 from beyond the arc in the first half and four for 31 (12.9%) for the game.
Utah State did not hide its game plan, coach Jerrod Calhoun and his players saying they wanted to get out in transition and play fast.
How would they counteract Mara without their own 7-footer? More speed.
“Luckily, he’s not too heavy so we can fight that physically to some extent,” Martinez said, “but mostly with speed would be ideal to beat him.”
Calhoun almost sounded like he was preparing a concession speech in the event UCLA deployed a heavy dose of Mara, who had helped the Bruins win all nine games in which he played at least 15 minutes this season.
“One of the most talented young players in college basketball,” Calhoun said. “You can see when he gets going in a game and he gets that swagger and that confidence, a lot of times it’s easy baskets. He’s one of the best lob threats we have in college basketball.
“Mick does a tremendous job of putting him in Spain actions, high pick and rolls. So your ball-screen defense against him has to be really good. You got to do a tremendous job of playing physical. If he catches the ball in the block, you have no shot.”
Mara converted a couple of those catches into points while helping UCLA take a 39-27 halftime lead. He took one pass and spun around Aubin Gateretse for a dunk and took another for a jump hook.
His best stretch might have come when Johnson fed him for dunks on back-to-back possessions, the second assist leading Johnson to make a binoculars gesture with his hands. The Bruins had rolled off 12 consecutive points to take a 14-point lead and Utah State called time out.
Mara’s line by the game’s midpoint was representative of his across-the-board value to his team. He had eight points on four-for-five shooting to go with four rebounds, three blocks and the game’s best two assists thrown from the high post — a bounce pass to Clark for a dunk on a give-and-go and a pass to Lazar Stefanovic for a baseline jumper.
UCLA’s halftime lead might have been insurmountable had the Bruins not given up 10 offensive rebounds leading to 14 points for Utah State — more than half the Aggies’ total.
OPPO F29 Series Launched In India: OPPO India has launched two new smartphones in India under the OPPO F29 Series. Boasting industry-leading dust and liquid protection, the OPPO F29 Series is designed to endure India’s diverse and demanding environments, according to the official release. With IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, the F29 Series is the toughest smartphone in its segment, it added.
The devices are built with a 360° armour body that features sponge bionic cushioning to absorb shocks from accidental drops. The F29 Series is further strengthened by an aerospace-grade AM04 aluminum alloy frame that enhances durability by 10 per cent over its predecessor, the company claims. Tested against 14 rigorous Military Standard (MIL-STD-810H-2022) challenges—from extreme temperatures and rain to shock, dust, salt mist, and vibrations—the F29 Series is built to survive where others fail, it added.
OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: AI-Powered Camera, Features
The devices feature a 50MP main camera, 2MP depth camera, and 16MP selfie cameras. However, the standout feature is the Underwater Photography mode, which OPPO has introduced in F29 Series. With this mode, users can capture life’s moments, whether rain or shine, above ground or underwater, according to the release.
The handsets also come with AI-powered camera features:
AI Livephoto: First introduced with the Find X8 Series, this mode automatically records video clips from 1.5 seconds before the shutter is pressed to 1.5 seconds after while intelligently eliminating any handshake. There is even an option to convert these Livephotos to GIFs to share as memes.
AI Unblur: The OPPO F29 Series ensures that each picture retains details and colours even when the subject is in constant motion.
AI Reflection Remover: This feature ensures pristine photos with no reflections from glass whether you are shooting a cityscape from behind a window, or a sunset from a flight.
AI Eraser 2.0: This feature eliminates photo bombers in holiday photos or an unsightly object in the background.
OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: Gen AI Features
The OPPO F29 Series is equipped with several GenAI features. Its Documents app includes tools like AI Summary, AI Rewrite, and Extract Chart. Its AI Toolbox 2.0 includes productivity features like Screen Translator, AI Writer, AI Reply, and AI Recording Summary that can record meetings—in English, Hindi, and Tamil—as long as five hours and generate notes, summaries, and transcripts. OPPO’s proprietary AI Linkboost 2.0 tackles weak network signals to provide smooth and stable connections, according to the official release.
Additionally, Circle to Search with Google allows users to instantly search for anything on-screen with a simple long press of the home button or navigation bar.
OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: Colour Options
The OPPO F29 Pro will be available in two colours: Marble White and Granite Black. On the other hand, the OPPO F29 will be available in Solid Purple and Glacier Blue colours.
OPPO F29, OPPO F29 Pro: Price & Availability
The F29 Pro 5G will be priced at Rs 27,999 for the 8GB + 128GB, Rs 29,999 for 8GB + 256G, and Rs 31,999 for 12GB + 256GB variants. The handset will be available for purchase starting April 1 on OPPO E-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and mainline retail outlets.
On the other hand, the OPPO F29 has two variants, priced at Rs 23999 and Rs 25999 for 8GB+12GB and 8GB+256GB variants, respectively. The device will be available for purchase starting March 27 on OPPO E-store, Flipkart, Amazon, and mainline retail outlets.
The PS5 Pro has been reduced to its lowest ever price at Argos, as the retailer launches its Next Level Gaming event.
After a few smaller discounts since the console’s November launch, Argos is now giving customers a full 10% off the price of the PS5 Pro.
This means you can pick up the ultra-powerful new PlayStation console for just £629.99, which is by far the cheapest it’s been since launch.
If you want to take advantage of this limited time deal, simply click the link below and add the PS5 Pro to your basket. Once you get to the checkout, enter GAMING10 as a Promo Code to receive the 10% discount.
You may have to act fast, because this deal is already proving popular among Argos customers.
According to the product page, the PS5 Pro is “in-demand” and “selling fast”, with consoles being sold every couple of minutes and hundreds being added to baskets in the past 24-hours.
The great benefit of buying from Argos is that you can pick up the console on the same day, and even pay an additional fee for same day delivery.
The retailer also offers various flexible payment schemes, including Klarna, PayPal and its very own Argos Card.
The PS5 Pro console comes with Sony’s excellent DualSense controller, as well as a copy of Astro’s Playroom built-in to the device.
A big upgrade over the original PS5, the PS5 Pro makes a variety of improvements to visuals and performance.
The PS5 Pro console comes with Sony’s excellent DualSense controller, as well as a copy of Astro’s Playroom built-in to the device.
While the improvements to visuals and performance are the headline features, it’s worth remembering that the PS5 Pro also comes with a 2TB solid-state drive, which is twice the storage of the original PS5 at launch.
With games like Call of Duty potentially taking up a few hundred gigabytes of storage space, the bigger SSD is arguably worth the price alone.
Of course, it’s the improved specs that really makes the PS5 Pro worth purchasing, especially if you’re sick of choosing between graphics and performance.
It was already confirmed Alfa Romeo would launch new electric versions of the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV in 2026 and 2025 respectively, and the latter has now been spied testing for the first time.
Photographers in northern Sweden have captured a heavily camouflaged Stelvio prototype undergoing development testing, suggesting the Italian brand is getting the model ready to be unveiled later this year.
Built atop the Stellantis STLA Large platform, which also underpins the Jeep Wagoneer S, the Stelvio will have the capacity to be fitted with a range of different powertrains – though it’ll launch as an electric vehicle (EV) first and be followed by hybrid versions at a later date.
The Stelvio EV is expected to be one of the most important cars for Alfa Romeo, but official information on the model has been sparse. It’s also due to be launched as the brand celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.
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Under the heavy camouflage, Alfa Romeo’s signature triangular grille can still be seen at the front. There are also horizontal struts for daytime running lights, while it looks like the brand is opting for a split headlight design.
Along the sides are flush door handles, while it appears the tail-lights adhere to a teaser image from a few months ago and mimic the shapes seen on cars from brands like Genesis.
While it’s still due to be unveiled this year, Alfa Romeo CEO Santo Ficilli has said the Stelvio’s production will be delayed, as the new facility in Hungary responsible for building the electric SUV will not be fully operational until early 2026.
The Stelvio will be the first car introduced in Europe to use the STLA Large Platform. The Wagoneer S, which uses a slightly different version of the platform but will be assembled in Mexico, was originally slated to start deliveries in North America in 2024, though a desire to launch a “perfect” EV has likely pushed it back.
Features of the platform include an 800V electric architecture, the ‘STLA Brain’ software system, and STLA SmartCockpit user interface.
While Alfa Romeo has yet to reveal any details about the drivetrains that will be offered in the new Stelvio and Giulia, Stellantis has previously confirmed the STLA Large architecture can house battery packs with between 85kWh and 118kWh of capacity.
It also supports single-motor rear-wheel drive and multi-motor all-wheel drive layouts.
Alfa Romeo Australia says it has enough stock of the current Stelvio for the remainder of this year, but it seems likely it will then be without its flagship SUV until the new generation arrives, be it in electric or hybrid form.
Current Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
MORE: Electric Alfa Romeo Stelvio to launch in 2025, electric Giulia due 2026 MORE: End of an era: Alfa Romeo’s hot twin-turbo V6 Giulia, Stelvio ending production MORE: Jeep won’t launch new EV until quality is ‘perfect’ MORE: Everything Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Global private investment firm Bain Capital on Thursday said it will acquire an 18 per cent stake in gold loan financier Manappuram Finance for Rs 4,385 crore.
Manappuram Finance (File Photo)
Global private investment firm Bain Capital on Thursday said it will acquire an 18 per cent stake in gold loan financier Manappuram Finance for Rs 4,385 crore.
The deal will make it one of the promoters of the company and provide joint control.
As part of the transaction, Bain Capital will be investing Rs 4,385 crore to acquire an 18 per cent stake on a fully diluted basis via preferential allotment of equity and warrants at a price of Rs 236 per share, which is at a premium of about 30 per cent over the 6-month average trading price, a joint statement said.
This strategic investment aims to fuel the company’s next phase of growth and drive transformation by enhancing operational excellence, strengthening leadership, and expanding its presence across key segments, it added.
The transaction will trigger a mandatory open offer for the purchase of an additional 26 per cent stake in the company on an expanded capital basis (excluding warrants), it noted.
The open offer price has been fixed at Rs 236 per share. Based on the open offer subscription, Bain Capital’s stake post the investment will vary between 18 per cent to 41.7 per cent on a fully diluted basis (including shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of warrants).
Existing Promoters will hold a 28.9 per cent stake in the company post the investment on a fully diluted basis, including shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants, the joint statement said.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Founded in 1949, Manappuram Finance is a leading non-banking financial institution, it has grown to serve over 6.59 million customers through an extensive network of 5,357 branches and a workforce of 50,795 employees.
The Kerala-based company has expanded beyond gold loans into microfinance, vehicle finance, housing finance and SME lending, establishing itself as a diversified financial services provider with significant scale and strong growth momentum.
Their leadership team is renowned for its commitment to excellence, and their sharp focus on growth will unlock fresh opportunities for Manappuram Finance, the company’s MD and CEO V P Nandakumar said.
“This collaboration leverages our deep expertise and commitment to sustainably expanding India’s financial services sector while democratising access to financial products that foster entrepreneurship and wealth creation across the country,” said Pavninder Singh, Partner at Bain Capital.
Bain Capital has deep experience in investing to support the growth and leadership of a diversified set of financial services businesses in India and globally, including Axis Bank, 360One Wealth & Asset Management, L&T Finance Holdings, and Lionbridge Capital, among others.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
News business Bain Capital To Acquire 18% Stake In Manappuram Finance For Rs 4,385 Crore
Despite ongoing market uncertainty, Tron (TRX) is making waves in the cryptocurrency market with its impressive price surge. However, this surge comes at a time when major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and others are experiencing a notable price decline.
Current Price Momentum
TRX is currently trading near $0.235 and has registered a 2.56% price surge in the past 24 hours, defying the market trend. However, during the same period, its trading volume dropped by 42%, indicating that investors and traders are still hesitant to participate in the asset as overall market sentiment remains bearish, with prices continuing to fall.
TRX Technical Analysis and Upcoming Levels
With this upside momentum, the market condition seems to be shifting TRX’s overall trend. According to CoinPedia’s technical analysis, TRX has recently broken out from a bullish flag and pole price action pattern and is poised for massive upside momentum.
Besides this breakout, the uptrend remains strong as TRX has taken a retracement from Fibonacci’s 38.2% level, indicating a strong trend and momentum. Based on recent price action and historical patterns, if TRX maintains itself above $0.234, there is a strong possibility that the asset could soar by 12% to reach the $0.255 level in the coming days.
Source: Trdain
However, this level represents the upper boundary of the consolidation zone where TRX has been trading on a higher time frame. If the asset reaches this level and successfully closes a daily candle above $0.255, there is a strong possibility that it could see a price jump of over 20%.
Tron’s (TRX) Over-Leveraged Levels
At press time, traders are over-leveraged at the $0.226 level, with $4.30 million worth of long positions. Meanwhile, $0.24 is another over-leveraged level, where traders betting on the short side are also over-leveraged.
Source: Krtos nahi
Given the current market sentiment, it appears that traders are bullish, and the price may soon surge, which could explain the $4.30 million worth of long positions at the $0.226 level.
If you are setting up a smart home for the first time or want to use your smart home hub better, we believe a few basic gadgets are must-haves. These will help automate common tasks, help keep an eye on different parts of your home and control household tech like smart light bulbs with your voice or other smart devices.
However, there are countless variations of smart home devices. You’ll also have to choose whether to build a smart home with Alexa- or Google Assistant-powered speakers — perhaps even Siri and Apple’s HomeKit. All of this can get too confusing and too fast. However, we know a thing or two about smart doorbells, smart home hubs and other devices that can help save energy and more. We’ve curated the best of the best for you below. And with the Amazon Big Spring Sale now underway, you can save on other smart tech. We’ve rounded up the best Big Spring Sale smart home security deals to shop this month.
Read more: Best Smart Home Gifts for 2025
Plus, don’t miss out on our reviews of Apple’s HomePod Mini, Google’s Nest Audio and Nest Doorbell with battery, Amazon’s fourth-gen Echo speaker and Echo Show 15, and we’ll update this list as new products launch.
Tyler Lizenby/CNET
We curated this list of best devices in a range of smart home categories. If you want to know the best smart thermostat or the best smart lighting kit, regardless of which voice platforms support them, we’ve got you covered. This is a general list of the best overall smart home devices, not tailored to any specific platform. (For example, you won’t have much luck pairing an Amazon smart speaker with a Google smart display.) If you’re looking for platform-specific recommendations, check out our curated lists below.
In each subcategory section, we’ve also added a link to the best list for that particular product type. If you’re looking for more options for lighting or locks, you’ll find a list of our favorite products if you’d like to see a broader selection. Keep in mind that we regularly update this list as we review new products. Without further ado, here are the best of the best smart home devices you can buy right now.
Best smart home devices
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Amazon’s fourth-gen Echo is still impressive well over a year after its initial launch — and even if you pay its full $100 price (you can often find it on sale if you keep an eye out). Between its new sphere-like profile, powerful sound output and a few forward-looking features, the Echo is still king of the countertop.
Google’s Nest Audio speaker, which also launched in 2020, is a solid competitor with the Echo. Apple’s recent HomePod Mini plays well in the Apple sandbox, but Amazon wins out in two key categories: Its speaker is far more powerful and it features a built-in Zigbee receiver and Amazon Sidewalk Hub that make connecting devices like lightbulbs and locks much more seamless and reliable.
Meanwhile, Alexa and Google Assistant are pretty much at parity right now. While Amazon boasts about more skills and support for more third-party devices for its voice assistant, the numbers for Google Assistant also lands in the tens of thousands, meaning you really don’t miss out on anything significant either way.
Read more: Best Smart Speakers of 2025
Google Assistant does a better job at mimicking natural conversation flow, but the difference isn’t really that noticeable in your day-to-day interaction with each speaker. Most of the time you’ll ask a smart speaker for the weather, to set a timer and maybe have it play a song or two. Both devices are good at all of that.
Google has another card to play, which you can read below.
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Google’s Nest Mini smart speaker isn’t as powerful as the new Echo, but it’s a great budget-friendly option for Google users.
The audio quality in the Nest Mini is respectable, given its price and profile. It also has a wall-mounting notch on the underside, if that’s what you’re into. An interesting presence detection method that uses the speaker and microphone to determine your proximity to the Nest Mini helps it trigger LED indicators that help you make better sense of the otherwise obscured physical volume controls.
That’s all fine, but the thing that puts the Nest Mini over the top is the machine-learning chip embedded inside the tiny speaker. With that chip, Google says, the Nest Mini can learn what commands you give to it most often, and it will then begin to process those commands locally, rather than on Google’s servers.
Anything that helps to keep control of your smart home inside your home is worthwhile. Letting you continue to issue certain voice commands even if the internet goes out, and improved response times are great too. The Nest Mini doesn’t have the audio output jack that allows you to connect Echo Dots to better-quality speakers, it’s still one of our favorite devices — particularly for people who already use Google services such as Gmail and Calendar with any regularity.
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Amazon may have introduced the smart display with the Echo Show, but Google refined the concept with the Nest Hub (formerly the Home Hub) both in terms of its design, and in the way it leverages its voice assistant. Now there’s a second-gen model, released in 2021, with a lower price and more features.
You get the same Google Assistant features in the Nest Hub that you get with the Google Home speaker line, along with a screen interface that gives you just the right amount of visual feedback. It will show you your spoken commands so you know Google heard you correctly, it can deftly walk you through a recipe from popular cooking websites, and it works seamlessly with Google-supported smart home cameras and video doorbells to display their camera feeds onscreen. Google’s Soli is also onboard for Sleep Sensing and Quick Gestures like pausing media with an air tap in front of the display.
Read more: Best Smart Displays of 2025
Google prudently opted out of including a video camera on the Hub itself, getting ahead of some privacy concerns, and likely prompting Amazon to include a manual video shutter on its new, smaller Echo Show 5 display. If you really want a Google-based smart display that allows for video chatting, a few third-party options can make that happen, as well as the larger and more expensive Nest Hub Max. Even without it, the Nest Hub is the best, most affordable marriage of a voice assistant and a display interface on the market.
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Wi-Fi is everything — particularly once you start spreading things like smart speakers, smart lights, smart plugs and smart all else from room to room. After all, those connected doodads won’t do you much good if they can’t, you know, connect.
That’s why a mesh router that’s built to spread a strong, speedy signal throughout your house might make for a particularly smart upgrade — especially if you’re living in a big home. Of the ones we’ve tested, we think the Nest Wifi is the smartest pick. At around $95, the two-piece starter kit was able to fill the 5,800-square-foot CNET Smart Home with decent signal strength, and it never once dropped our connection as we moved around conducting speed test after speed test. On top of that, the range extender doubles as a smart speaker, so as you spread a reliable connection from room to room, you’ll be spreading Google Assistant’s footprint in your home with it.
Read more: Best Wi-Fi Routers in 2025
The Nest Wifi doesn’t support the newest, fastest version of Wi-Fi, called Wi-Fi 6, but you really won’t notice the difference Wi-Fi 6 makes unless you’re already paying for super-fast internet speeds of 500 Mbps or more. Our upgrade pick, the Eero Pro 6, is the best choice if you want to serve up that kind of speed. What you will notice with the Nest Wifi is the ease of installation, the simple network controls that sit right alongside your smart home controls in the Google Home app, and advanced Wi-Fi features like device prioritization, WPA3 security and 4×4 MU-MIMO support, which lets the Nest Wifi boost speeds to devices that use multiple Wi-Fi antennas, like the MacBook Pro.
The Nest Wifi is best for Google smart homes, so Alexa users will likely want to stick with the Eero or Netgear Orbi. If you just want solid Wi-Fi that you and your growing number of internet-connected gadgets can rely upon, put the Nest Wifi right at the top of your list.
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We often point to smart plugs as the entry point for anyone interested in trying out a connected home device. They’re cheap, they’re simple to install and they perform a function that’s pretty easy to grasp, toggling power on and off remotely.
Read more: Best Smart Plugs of 2025
You can find a lot of smart plugs out there. TP-Link’s Kasa Mini is our favorite. It includes a single outlet that connects to your network via Wi-Fi. The app is well-designed and lets you program the plug to turn on or off on a schedule or even based on your location. It works with Google Assistant and Alexa, and it doesn’t cover up the adjacent outlet on a standard two-outlet wall fixture.
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At $80, Amazon Smart Thermostat is the least expensive smart thermostat we’ve tested. You’ll need a compatible Alexa-enabled smart speaker or display to use voice commands, but you don’t have to enable an Alexa skill since this is an Amazon-branded product.
Even if you don’t want to use voice control, the thermostat is impressive, saving an average of $50 on a yearly energy bill. Its design is simple and modern, and the touchscreen interface is efficient.
The downsides: The Amazon Smart Thermostat isn’t compatible with Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit and there’s no remote temperature sensor accessory. You also either need a C-wire or you have to buy and install the C-wire adapter.
Still, that incredible price tag sets it apart from the rest of the options on the market.
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The Arlo Pro 5S outdoor security camera is a solid device that continues the brand’s history of cameras with impressive performance, excellent 2K resolution, and a wide 160-degree field of view that lets you see more than most of the competition. Along with its great specs, things like night vision, two-way talk and more are all here, but so is a helpful built-in spotlight. All these features offer excellent use cases, even as deterrents to would-be burglars. You’ll need to add a $3-a-month subscription to access features like smart notifications that distinguish among people, animals and vehicles, plus motion zones and more.
While the Arlo Pro 5S is pricier — $250 for a single camera — than many most affordable outdoor cameras from brands like Blink or Wyze, it’s a good investment for anyone serious about upping their security game.
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Ring’s latest home security system beats the competition for two simple reasons: It’s surprisingly affordable, with the eight-piece kit for $300 and competitive device-by-device pricing, and it offers a ton of value for that price. Not only do you get a range extender included, but you also get a Z-Wave radio for a variety of smart devices, cellular backup, local processing and storage, backup internet (in case of power or internet outages) and much more than in your standard DIY security array.
Monthly subscriptions range from $5 to $20 a month, which is on the lower end of the DIY home security spectrum, and it includes more smarts than most such subscriptions. If you’re looking to give yourself a solid base to start building out a smart and secure home, you can’t do much better than the Ring Alarm Kit.
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Many of Arlo’s cameras are expensive if not overpriced, and the Arlo 2K Video Doorbell is much more reasonable. Not due to the lack of build quality or features.
The Arlo 2K Video Doorbell is priced well, it performs well and the Arlo Smart cloud service is competitively priced, starting at just $3 per month. With Arlo Smart, you get a ton of features, from advanced motion alerts to 30 days of cloud storage and much more.
You’ll get a 180-degree viewing angle and a 1:1 aspect ratio to show packages left at your door. A built-in siren helps it function in part as a security camera too.
Read more: Best Video Doorbells of 2025
There isn’t a free cloud storage option, and at 5 inches tall, this is one of the larger doorbells. Still, we strongly recommend the Arlo Video Doorbell enough to say that it’s our current favorite video doorbell overall.
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Smart locks make people nervous because they insert another point of failure between you and your physical security. With a smart lock, a malicious hacker, or even a plain old technical failure or connectivity issue could all of a sudden compromise the entry point of your home.
There might be some truth to that. A keyless design with no physical failsafe could indeed lock you out, but the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock isn’t one of those locks.
Read more: Best Smart Locks of 2025
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a breeze to install. It fits over the internal thumb latch of most existing deadbolt designs, and you can set it up in 10 minutes. Because it doesn’t replace the lock mechanism itself, you can still use your original, physical key. It’s good looking too, and 45% smaller than older August models.
The lock itself connects to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and from the August app, you can assign and revoke timed virtual keys to anyone you like, from your in-laws to your dog sitter, at no extra cost. Many other locks will charge extra for virtual keys.
Because this model has Wi-Fi built in, you won’t need to purchase the August Connect accessory to enable remote access. Simply set up your lock with Wi-Fi in the app, and you can not only control the lock from anywhere, but you can also connect it to Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri (be sure to make each of them require a PIN to accompany the unlock command) for added convenience.
Another accessory included with the Wi-Fi Smart Lock model is the tiny open-close sensor. This lets the lock tell you if it’s locked or unlocked and lets you know if the door itself is open or closed. It’s the most complete product available on the market for now.
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Eufy has been making some really impressive security cameras lately, like the Eufy S350, and the Eufy S330 Floodlight Camera is just as great. It has all of the things we want from an outdoor security camera, such as extremely bright floodlights, crystal clear video, smart tracking and compatibility with all three major voice platforms.
With its 3,000 lumens of power, you can illuminate your entire backyard. It’s also dimmable, which is useful if you still want your neighbors to like you. What might be a negative for some is the requirement for the Eufy S330 Floodlight Camera to be hardwired. With as many smart features and powerful lights, constant power is a must. If you can make the power needs work, this is a fantastic option for your outdoor space — and you won’t need to pay for a subscription to use all the features.
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Amazon’s midtier smart display is the best one in its line. The Echo Show 8 has great audio quality, a highly visible screen and a convincing nod to privacy with a physical shutter you can slide over its camera. The second-gen device launched in 2021 and it honed many of the features that earned the first edition an Editor’s Choice award. We still like the interface better on the Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max, but for those of you who are committed to an Alexa-only ecosystem, the Echo Show 8 is the best smart display for the price.
Since this is a diverse group of products, there isn’t one set procedure we follow. (A test for a smart home display will tell you nothing about a mesh router.) Everything on this list (and the category-specific best lists) went through hands-on testing.
There are more commonalities too. Where possible and relevant, we gather data in a standardized and empirical way. For testing Wi-Fi routers, that includes repeating the same speed test at a series of standard distances in the same house for each router that’s tested.
For other categories, the testing is more experiential. For devices like smart thermostats, smart speakers, smart plugs and smart home displays, we install and use them in the ways you would. When testing the second-gen Google Nest Hub, our reviewer conducted a two week test of its sleep tracking function in addition to its more obvious around-the-house capabilities.
Relevant company policies also factor into our reviews of these devices, especially when it comes to privacy concerns. Bringing a device into your home that can watch or listen to you or your neighbors comes with corresponding privacy concerns. CNET works to understand the company’s privacy policies, make them easy to understand and takes privacy questions directly to the companies like Ring and Google when the answers aren’t obvious.
Choosing the best smart home devices is a bit different than choosing headphones or a streaming service, since smart devices are often meant to be integrated into a smart home ecosystem. That means one of your first considerations should be compatibility. Consider devices that will work with the same voice assistant. CNET recommends both Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa as two of the best centerpieces for a smart home.
The other thing to consider is your goals and your needs. Are you interested in connecting and automating as much of your house as possible? Then go all in on a connected home. If your problem is one person leaving their bedroom light on when they leave the house, a smart light bulb might do the trick.
Not to get all philosophical, but that depends on how you define worth. Smart home devices can add a layer of convenience to your life you’d be hard-pressed to achieve without them. Left a light on? Ask Google to turn it off. Need to add something to your grocery list? Tell Alexa.
Smart home devices can save you money too. The best example of this is a smart thermostat, which can save you 10% on your energy bills if you program them right. Other devices like smart bulbs and smart plugs that you can schedule or shut off remotely can keep you from wasting energy when you’re away. Motion sensors connected to your lights can do the same trick.
What’s the best way to connect smart devices at home?
Connecting smart devices at home is, generally, relatively simple. Smart plugs, pet cams or smart light bulbs set up and connect easily. Even most devices with more involved installations, like smart thermostats, can be installed without too much fuss. (Although calling a professional is always a good idea if you’re unsure of yourself.)
If you’re looking for the best smart home hub and assistant, CNET has recognized Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as two of the leading options. Both support thousands of devices, so you’re bound to find an option to fit your needs.
Greater connectivity among smart home devices is (likely) going to arrive soon. Matter, a project that aims to provide greater connectivity across smart home brands, is creeping closer to its debut. The frequently delayed effort has sign-on from some of the biggest smart home companies, although it’s always best to confirm a device you’re considering is compatible and not count on future developments.
Google, Amazon and Apple get the most attention for their smart home hubs and speakers, but plenty of other companies are making top-of-the-line products that can be incorporated into a smart home ecosystem.
Sonos is listed on CNET’s best smart speakers, while Wyze is among the best smart plugs as well as offering great smart lightbulbs. Many companies, like Sonos, have made smart versions of products they’ve long made. Honeywell makes a quality smart thermostat and several of the best smart locks come from companies that have made locks for decades.
America is struggling with an obesity problem, as nearly 42% of U.S. adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Whether this is due to lack of healthy food items and education or easy access to fast food, obesity-related healthcare costs in America have grown to $190.2 billion, the National League of Cities recently reported.
In a new WalletHub study, 100 of the most populated metropolitan areas were compared to 19 key indicators of weight-related problems to reveal which U.S. cities are the most overweight and obese in 2025.
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The analysis then ranked each city on three dimensions: obesity and overweight, health consequences, and food and fitness.
“Obesity is becoming more and more prevalent in the U.S., and it’s costing us big time,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, who is based in South Carolina, said in a statement.
WalletHub’s data set for this study ranged from “the share of physically inactive adults to projected obesity rates by 2030 to healthy food access.”(iStock)
“In the most overweight and obese cities, residents often lack easy access to healthy food and recreation opportunities, so investing in those areas should help improve people’s diets and exercise regimens and reduce the financial burden overall.”
Obesity is defined by the CDC as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Severe obesity is defined as having a BMI of 40 or higher.
The following cities came out on top as the most overweight in the country.
1. McAllen, Texas
McAllen, Texas, has the second-lowest percentage of residents who live close to parks or recreational facilities, WalletHub found.(iStock)
McAllen, Texas, ranked No. 1 as America’s most overweight city.
Hidalgo County came in first overall, with the highest percentage of obese adults (45%) and physically inactive adults.
McAllen specifically ranked No. 3 for obesity and overweight, as well as food and fitness. It also came in fifth for health consequences.
The study also found that 31% of adults in McAllen are overweight, but not obese.
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The Texas city has the second-highest share of obese teenagers, the analysis found, and the fifth-highest number of obese children.
“McAllen residents are also very affected by diseases related to being [at] an unhealthy weight,” WalletHub called out.
“For example, the city has the eighth-highest share of people with diabetes and the fourth-highest heart disease rate.”
2. Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas, is projected to have the second-highest obesity rate in 2030.(iStock)
Little Rock, Arkansas, ranked as America’s second-most overweight city.
Arkansas’ capital came in fourth for health consequences, fifth for obesity and overweight, and seventh for food and fitness.
The city has the fourth-highest rate of obese children aged 10 to 17 at nearly 23%, as well as high rates of teenage obesity, according to WalletHub.
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Little Rock residents struggle with weight-related conditions, with the fourth-highest percentage of adults with high blood pressure and the fifth-highest rate of heart disease.
The city has the second-lowest numbers of health educators per capita, the study revealed, and limited access to healthy foods.
“The problem will likely remain for the foreseeable future, too, as Little Rock has the second-highest projected obesity rate for 2030,” WalletHub predicted.
3. Jackson, Mississippi
“Not exercising regularly is a big reason why many of Jackson’s residents are overweight and obese,” WalletHub wrote.(iStock)
Jackson, Mississippi, came in as No. 3 overall, but ranked No. 1 in the obesity and overweight benchmark.
The city also has the second-highest percentage of physically inactive adults, which WalletHub considered a “big reason” why many residents are overweight and obese.
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About 37% of adults in Jackson are obese, with high rates of obesity for kids and teens as well.
Among medical conditions, the city has the second-highest percentage of residents that have had a stroke and the sixth-highest rate of high blood pressure.
WalletHub added that many Jackson residents lack easy access to healthy food.
Obesity is defined by the CDC as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. Severe obesity is defined as having a BMI of 40 or higher.(iStock)
Cristina Palacios, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition at Florida International University, emphasized in a statement the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for weight.
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“My suggestion is to improve one’s diet by taking a critical look at what we eat and drink and plan on how to improve it slowly,” she said. “It is very challenging to change everything at once. Take one action and implement it.”
“For example, you could start by eating all your meals with water instead of juice, sodas, etc.,” she said.
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“This may take some time, as many are used to drinking something sweet, but this is a powerful first step, as the calories from beverages are not registered by our brain and one can drink a lot of calories without compensating later in the day.”
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
Bengali Dal Bori (also called Badi) are a unique lentil-based delicacy. Made from ground urad dal or other types of dal, they are typically shaped into small dumplings and dried under the sun. In Bengali households, dal bori is used in many ways. It is considered something of a pantry staple, often handmade at home following a traditional recipe. Sometimes, dal badi is deep-fried and eaten as a snack. It can also be added to dal dishes, curries and vegetable preparations to enhance the texture. It is also used to make Bori Jhal, a unique dish flavoured with mustard paste and spices. Recently, a video showing the making of dal bori in bulk went viral on Instagram and clocked over 29 million views.
Also Read: Watch How Your Favourite Bihari Sweet Treat Khaja Is Made In This Viral Video
In the video, we see people who seem to be workers making dal bori from scratch at an outdoor location. As per the caption, the location is Naihati. They transfer large amounts of ground dal paste to a large container fixed with a mechanic mixer. The paste is thus churned with a little water to form a smooth batter. In small quantities, the batter is later filled into a special mould. It has holes/nozzles in its bottom layer and a pressing plate on top, allowing the generation of small bite-sized amounts of the batter. As the video proceeds, we see a woman using this device to fill large trays with raw dal bori pieces. She continues pressing down on the mould repetitively, in a motion that looks well-practised.
Many of these trays are kept out in the field to dry under the hot sun. Later, they are briefly placed over a fire as they harden and take shape properly. In the end, we see a large basket of dal bori being emptied. A few of them are held up to the camera to showcase their distinctive look. Watch the full viral video below:
Would you like to try making Bangali-style dal bori at home? Click here for the complete recipe.
China on Thursday urged Canada to respect the spirit of the rule of law and stop interfering in China’s judiciary sovereignty.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular news conference, after reports quoted Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly as saying that China had executed four Canadian citizens in recent months on drug-related charges.
Combating drug-related crimes is the responsibility of all countries, Mao pointed out.
Stressing that the law treats everyone the same regardless of nationality, Mao said the Chinese judicial authorities handle those cases justly in strict accordance with the law.
The lawful rights of the defendants and the consular rights of the Canadian side are fully protected as stipulated by the law, she added.
Embassy Developments Ltd (EDL), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Embassy East Business Park, has signed definitive agreements with Lam Research (India) Pvt Ltd to sub-lease and subsequently divest approximately 25 acres in Whitefield, Bengaluru, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction is valued at ₹1,125 crore.
Aditya Virwani, Managing Director, Embassy Developments Ltd, said: “Bengaluru remains a top choice for global corporations. The proceeds from this sale will be reinvested into high-growth opportunities, strengthening our development pipeline and delivering sustained value to our stakeholders.”
The company’s shares closed at ₹115.75, up 5.13 per cent on the BSE.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
STIŽE nova igra u svijetu Cyberpunka 2077 koja će proširiti kaotične oružane sukobe iz osnovne igre i donijeti jedinstvenu interakciju između igrača i zbivanja u Night Cityju. Cyberpunk 2077: Turf Wars arkadna je igra koja koristi tehnologiju pištolja sa senzorom svjetla kako bi testirala vaše vještine pucanja.
Tako je, u pitanju je klasična arkadna igra koju možete zaigrati u specijaliziranim igraonicama arkadnih igara, a ne na vlastitom računalu ili konzoli.
Malo detalja je poznato
Cyberpunk 2077 širi se u arkade zahvaljujući tvrtki Lai Games koja je od CD Projekt Reda preuzela razvoj ovog novog izdanja franšize. Igru možete igrati samostalno ili u paru, a igrači mogu rješavati misije, udružiti snage ili testirati svoju preciznost.
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LEXINGTON, Ky. — On the eve of UCLA’s biggest game of the season, there was a fluid situation in the locker room.
The water boy couldn’t find anything to drink.
Nothing on hand aligned with Finn Barkenaes’ new sponsor, Niagara Bottling, leading to jokes about a personal prohibition.
“He can’t drink certain kind of drinks because he’s got an NIL deal,” Bruins coach Mick Cronin said of the head student manager who recently became the first water boy to land a national brand sponsorship. “And I was looking around, and they said, ‘No, it’s true.’”
UCLA men’s basketball manager Finn Barkenaes stands on the court during the Bruins’ NCAA tournament practice Wednesday at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
(Jan Kim Lim / UCLA Athletics)
Barkenaes can actually drink whatever he wants, but he’d strongly prefer it be a Niagara product.
The Diamond Bar-based company recently selected the senior business economics major to be its pitchman for what might be the ultimate Cinderella story of March Madness.
“Let’s be real, water boys don’t get NIL deals,” Barkenaes said, “so it’s been pretty cool to be part of something that’s, like, flip the script on things and get recognized, even if it is in kind of a joking manner.”
During the next few weeks, Barkenaes will be featured on Niagara’s Instagram and other social media platforms, the tagline being that 2025 is the “Year of the water boy.”
“At Niagara, we believe unsung heroes like Finn keep top athletic programs running strong with high-quality water,” said Julia Buchanan, the company’s vice president of marketing and communications. “He was the perfect choice as our first-ever NIL water boy — his dedication to UCLA athletics is unmatched, and he plays a vital role in supporting a legendary program.”
At first, Barkenaes thought the whole thing was a joke. A water boy pitchman? Seriously?
He realized otherwise once he started hopping on Zooms with company executives from around the country, leading to his signing a deal with undisclosed terms. Barkenaes did divulge that he’s already received several cases of water, with more likely to come.
“I’m jealous,” Cronin said as his team prepared to face Utah State on Thursday at Rupp Arena in the first round of the NCAA tournament. “That’s what I just told him.”
Handing out water might be the easiest thing Barkenaes does. He and the other managers sweep the practice court, load equipment onto buses and planes, tape simulated basketball courts onto hotel ballroom floors and try — in an often futile effort — to stop the team’s big men in practice while wearing oversized pads on their arms.
“He’s hitting us, pushing us,” center Aday Mara said of Barkenaes.
This isn’t the first time Barkenaes has been called a water boy. Arizona and Arizona State fans once used the term to heckle him, but the taunts had the opposite of their intended effect.
UCLA men’s basketball manager Finn Barkenaes poses alongside Niagara Bottling products. Barkenaes has an endorsement deal with the company.
(Niagara Bottling)
“The whole idea is that we’re out of the spotlight, and the people who work this job do it because they love basketball and they love UCLA,” said Barkenaes, who wants to work in wealth management or finance after graduation. “All of the staff with me, they’re not in it for the spotlight and the recognition, so I think people kind of embrace it, it’s kind of like a chip-on-your-shoulder thing. It’s like, ‘I’m the water boy, I’m the one that people typically don’t care about.’”
Now he’s the talk of the locker room, players calling Barkenaes “Money man,” “Niagara boy” and “Water boy.”
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series Sale Starts: Samsung on Thursday, March 20 announced the nationwide availability of the Galaxy Book5 series. With cutting-edge performance and immersive AI features, the Galaxy Book5 series is designed for next-level productivity, creativity, and entertainment, the company claimed.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Price & Offers
The starting price of the Galaxy Book5 series is Rs 1,14,900, which is Rs 15000 lower than the previous Galaxy Book4 series models. Customers who purchase the Galaxy Book5 series can get bank cashback up to Rs 10,000 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro at Rs 7,999 (against the original price of Rs 19,999). The devices are also available with up to 24 months no cost EMI option.
Aditya Babbar, Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India said “With AI-driven features, seamless Galaxy ecosystem connectivity, and the power of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC experience, these laptops redefine productivity, creativity, and entertainment – whether you’re a professional, a student, or a creator,” said
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: AI Features
The Galaxy Book5 series comes with AI for the first time and features a neural processing unit for AI computing, along with Galaxy AI features such as AI Select, Recall and Photo Remaster. AI Select, a feature similar to Circle to Search with Google on Galaxy smartphones, enables instant search and extraction of information with a single click. Photo Remaster enhances images with AI-powered clarity and sharpness.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Performance
The Galaxy Book5 series is powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) featuring Intel AI Boost. These processors feature an upgraded NPU and next-gen Intel Arc graphics that delivers up to a 3xboost in AI compute performance and result in up to 40 per cent lower SoC power consumption compared to previous generations, the official release said.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Battery
The Galaxy Book5 series offers up to 25 hours of battery life with superfast charging. The Galaxy Book5 Pro is capable of reaching 41 per cent charge in 30 minutes.
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Series: Microsoft Copilot+ Experience
The Galaxy Book5 series gets on-device Microsoft Copilot+. Integrated with Windows 11 and Microsoft’s AI-enhanced Copilot+ experience, it also offers intelligent assistance for various tasks, including writing, research, scheduling, and presentations.
Bangkok Airways orders 30 new planes as ‘White Lotus’ fuels Thailand tourism boom
Bangkok Airways Pcl is gearing up to order as many as 30 new aircraft as it renews its ageing fleet and plans for a tourism boost driven by the popularity of television series the White Lotus.
Bangkok Airways’ big bet: 30 new jets and a tourism boom inspired by ‘White Lotus’!(Image by Unsplash)
The mid-sized Thai carrier plans to tap planemakers Airbus SE, Boeing Co. and Embraer SA for at least 20 single-aisle jets in the first half of the year, with options to order about 10 more, said Chief Executive Officer Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth. Its goal is to grow its fleet to at least 30 jets in the next four to five years, including the lease of some aircraft, he said.
“We need to grow and a new aircraft fleet would be mandatory,” Puttipong said in an interview. The carrier currently flies 25 jets, some of which are already 20 years old.
Bangkok Airways operates routes between Bangkok and major tourist destinations including Koh Samui, one of the filming locations for the latest season of White Lotus and where the carrier owns the airport. The show is expected to drive an influx of tourists to Thailand, with the government predicting a record 40 million visitors to the country this year.
Puttipong said the carrier has already seen a 14% increase in advanced flight bookings for the second quarter, bucking the typically low season in the Thai tourism calendar.
Bangkok Airways is set to see 10% to 20% more passengers than last year’s 2.7 million on its routes to Koh Samui, according to Puttipong. The carrier’s ownership of the island’s airport gives it a virtual monopoly of flights to the holiday hotspot.
With the uptick in traffic, the company is set to start a 1.5 billion baht ($45 million) renovation of the Samui airport in the second half of this year, he said. The project is expected to last for three years and the airport will continue to operate during that time. Bangkok Air has secured approval to increase the number of flights to 73 from 50 per day.
In total, the carrier is expected to fly a record 4.7 million passengers this year, up from 4.3 million in 2024, Puttipong said.
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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Ben Stiller has let slip on the secret behind one of Tropic Thunder’s most iconic characters, crediting none other than Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise for the genius addition.
During a recent interview session on the New Heights podcast, the mastermind behind Severance divulged how a simple nudge from Cruise changed the comedy film.
Cruise pointed out a missing piece in Stiller’s satirical take on the film business, leading to the birth of Les Grossman, the gut-bustingly funny studio executive.
The unmissable character, played with gusto by Cruise alongside co-stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black, turned out to be no accident but rather a stroke of comedic brilliance from the Mission: Impossible star.
A viral clip from Stiller’s podcast revelation has fans buzzing across social platforms since being shared on X, revealing that Stiller “called up” Cruise to collaborate on the film.
Stiller said: “He looked at it [Tropic Thunder] and he said ‘You make fun of the actors, you make fun of everybody, the agents and all that, but you don’t make fun of the studio heads. You should have a studio head!’ So it was his idea, that character did not exist before he suggested it.
“It became such an important part of the story and this is three months before the start of shooting the movie. Justin Theroux and I were working on it and rewrote these scenes and put them in, and Tom said ‘also, I feel like I want to dance in the movie, I just want to dance’ so this was purely his instinct.”
Fans have since lauded Cruise’s knack for understanding what makes a film successful, with one admirer commenting: “It’s crazy how good at movies Tom Cruise is.”
Another fan posted: “Tom Cruise’s performance in Tropic Thunder (2008) is pure comedy gold.
“All aspects of Les Grossman were developed by Cruise himself, the dancing, the make-up, even the oversized prosthetic hands. ‘Les grosse mains’ translates to ‘big hands’ in French. This is marvelous.”
During a stint on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast, Stiller revealed how he persuaded Cruise to feature in Tropic Thunder.
He informed the Oscars host that Tugg Speedman, the character Stiller portrays, had initially been penned for Cruise. However, the Eyes Wide Shut star declined the lead role, opting instead for a smaller part.
Stiller explained: “It’s a strange set of circumstances the way this happened. We had done this little short for the MTV movie awards where I played this stuntman, and that’s where we had a great time doing that together and had stayed in touch since then.
“I’d had this idea for the movie for a long time and had been working on it with Justin Theroux, and Etan Cohen came on later, and I had talked to Tom about it. Originally I wanted Tom to play my part. But I was really too nervous to ask him to do it, he has other stuff to do, and he’s so nice and just the greatest guy but I didn’t want to bother him with it.”
The Lexus NX is the sweet spot for a lot of luxury SUV customers.
WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2024 Lexus NX250
In particular, those in the market for a mid-sized petrol-electric model with plenty of power and efficiency are treated to a broad range of choices – in fact, 350h variants account for two-thirds of the NX line-up.
But as good as it is, we question whether you need to spend up to a high-grade version like this Sports Luxury grade.
As you’ll see from all the information about the specs and equipment listed below, along with all the other stuff you need to know, you don’t need to spend upwards of $80k for a fancier version of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
How does the Lexus NX compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Lexus NX against similarly sized vehicles.
Lexus
NX
How much does the Lexus NX cost?
There are plenty of different takes on the Lexus NX theme, and most of them come with the popular-for-good-reason 350h hybrid powertrain.
Model
Price before on-road costs
Lexus NX250 2WD
$63,400
Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD
$79,343
Lexus NX350h Luxury 2WD
$71,600
Lexus NX350h Luxury AWD
$76,400
Lexus NX350h Sports Luxury 2WD
$79,100
Lexus NX350h Sports Luxury AWD
$83,900
Lexus NX350h F Sport 2WD
$79,100
Lexus NX350h F Sport AWD
$83,900
Lexus NX450h+ F Sport AWD
$95,900
And consider this: the $84K plus on-roads cost of the NX350h Sports Luxury AWD tested here is just the starting price. The vehicle tested here included the $6000 Enhancement Pack 2, which incorporates a digital camera mirror, heated second-row window seats, and automated parking.
The glorious Sonic Titanium paint also added $1750 to the ask.
That means the vehicle tested here will cost $91,650 plus on-roads. Or close to $100k in your driveway. That’s a whole lot of money for a plush RAV4… okay, we’re being facetious there. But seriously!
To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool
What is the Lexus NX like on the inside?
Don’t go expecting BMW- or Mercedes-like levels of bling inside, as this is a sophisticated and somewhat understated interior design.
Sure, there are some standout elements like the 14.0-inch touchscreen media system, which incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as web-connected sat nav and online services as well. I had a few issues with CarPlay staying connected, and I wondered if it was my phone, or the system playing up.
That screen is the hub for some major controls and menus, but there are a few hidden elements that take some learning when it comes to the controls. It’s not difficult by modern standards, but it’s not the most intuitive in some ways, either.
There’s an array of controls below the screen that are simple to get to terms with, including dual-zone climate control dials. Between and above those there’s a home bar for other climate settings like fan, seat heating/cooling, and steering wheel heating for this model.
There are a couple of physical buttons just below, including demister controls for the front and rear glass, and the mirrors too, and there’s a central volume dial. The Mark Levinson sound system is a corker.
General comfort is excellent, with nice levels of adjustment for the seats, and those chairs are cosy enough for pain-free long-distance commutes. The materials used are of a very high standard, and while it might be a little low on personality compared to some of the more outlandish players in the segment, it has a level of sophistication to it.
Storage is well considered too, with cupholders between the seats, a wireless phone charging pad, decent centre console bin and door pockets big enough for bottles.
The door handles are maybe something that might take some getting used to, though. They caught out some of my passengers during the week.
The rear seat space is very good for this size of vehicle, with enough room for me (at 182cm/6’0”) to be seated behind my own driving position with inches of leg and toe room to spare. Headroom is also excellent.
And it’s a relatively broad cabin as well, with the three-seat bench offering up enough accommodation for a trio of adults to squish in if needed. If your rear-seat riders are more typically of the kiddo variety, then you’ll be happy to know there are ISOFIX child seat anchor points in the window seats and three top-tethers.
I can tell you from experience that you can fit a rearward-facing child capsule in the back, with enough passenger room for the front-seater to be comfy.
There are also plenty of amenities in the back, with adjustable air-con vents, a pair of USB-C ports, a 12V, map pockets, bottle holders and a flip-down armrest.
The boot space is reasonably good, with 520 litres of cargo capacity. But annoyingly, there is no spare wheel under the boot floor – just an array of additional storage boxes.
To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Righto, there are plenty of choices on offer in the Lexus NX range. Here’s a rundown:
The NX250 uses a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine offering 152kW of power and 243Nm of torque. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends drive to the front wheels only.
The NX350 uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 205kW and 430Nm. Again, there’s an eight-speed automatic transmission, but this time with standard all-wheel drive.
The NX350h has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain with a system output of 179kW. Lexus lists maximum torque figures of 239Nm for the petrol engine, 270Nm for the 2WD model’s electric motor, and 391Nm for the AWD model’s electric motors.
The NX450h+ mates a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors and an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, for a total system output of 227kW. It has an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), with drive sent through an all-wheel drive system. It’s also claimed to be capable of driving 87km on EV alone.
Now, the 350h is the most popular version, so let’s dive a little more into the fuel consumption stuff. It has an official combined cycle fuel use rating of 5.0L/100km whether you pick the front- or all-wheel drive version, and you’ll be happy if you can see that.
On test, across a mix of the sort of driving you might do – urban, stop-start, highway, commuting and errands – we saw a displayed average of 6.1L/100km.
The fuel tank capacity is 55 litres, and it needs 95RON premium unleaded petrol.
Unbraked towing caps out at 750kg, while the braked towing capacity is 1000kg for the NX250, 350 and 450h+. The NX 350h has a 1500kg braked towing capacity.
To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Lexus NX drive?
It’s such a delight to spend time in a car like the Lexus NX350h.
The powertrain never leaves you feeling short of pulling power, and it’s smooth and predictable in the way it behaves, too.
So much of that comes down to the hybrid powertrain logic, which will change things up depending on the situation. If the battery is adequately juiced, it will run in full EV mode quite regularly, while in other situations you will notice the system jumping between using the petrol engine in conjunction with the electric motors, or just as a generator to feed the battery pack.
The on-demand all-wheel drive system plays its part, too, offering a strong amount of shove when things get slippery, and there are multiple modes to play with if you wish. You can even ask the car to drive in EV mode, if you want.
It is a clever but complex powertrain, and it never ceases to amaze me how it knows just what to do in each instance. You can watch the status in real time using the info screen.
The e-CVT means it doesn’t have gear-shifts, and that might take some getting used to. And so might the soundtrack from the powertrain, which in some instances reminded me of a Mitsubishi Mirage with a pod filter. Comment below if you know that exact sound.
It also drives beautifully. Though not the keenest vehicle in terms of dynamism, I really appreciate the way the NX drives, with honest and predictable steering making it simple to park and fun to push.
The ride is also confident and comfortable, dealing well with bumps and lumps in the surface, and the body control is tight, too.
It is mostly very refined as well, though some road noise intrusion is evident on rougher surfaces.
To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
Let’s start at the bottom of the range and work our way up.
2025 Lexus NX250 and NX350h Luxury equipment highlights:
18-inch alloy wheels
Power tailgate
Automatic LED headlights with auto-levelling
Automatic high-beam
8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wired Android Auto
Satellite navigation
DAB+ digital radio
10-speaker sound system
Dual-zone climate control
Heated front seats
Heated door mirrors
Rear spoiler
Roof rails
Keyless entry and start
8-way power front seats incl. 2-way driver lumbar
Interior ambient lighting
Rain sensing wipers
10-way power driver seat adjustment
8-way power passenger seat adjustment
Enhancement Pack ($3000) adds:
Sunroof (tilt and slide)
Hands-free power tailgate
Wireless phone charger
NX 350 F Sport and NX 350h F Sport add:
20-inch alloy wheels
Tri-beam LED headlights incl. adaptive high-beam
Adaptive suspension
F Sport performance dampers
14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
‘High-grade’ 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
Wireless phone charger
Colour head-up display
Surround-view camera
F Sport pedals, scuff plates, steering wheel and shifter
F Sport seats
Power driver’s seat with memory
Hadori aluminium trim
Multi-colour ambient lighting
Handsfree tailgate
Ventilated front seats
F Sport leather accented seats
Privacy glass
10-way power driver seat adjustment with memory
8-way power passenger seat adjustment
Cornering LED lights
Enhancement Pack 1 ($3000) adds:
Enhancement Pack 2 ($6000) adds:
Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Digital rear-view mirror
17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
Semi-autonomous parking assist (NX350h F Sport AWD)
NX350h Sports Luxury adds – over Luxury:
14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
‘High-grade’ 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
Tri-beam LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
Cornering LED lights
Colour head-up display
Surround-view camera
Wireless phone charging
Digital rear-view mirror
Mark Levinson 17-speaker sound system
Sumi black walnut trim
Leather-accented interior trim
Ventilated front seats
Tri-beam LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
12-way power driver seat adjustment with memory
8-way power passenger seat adjustment
Enhancement Pack 1 ($3000) adds:
Enhancement Pack 2 ($6000) adds:
Panoramic sunroof
Heated steering wheel
Heated rear seats
60/40 power-folding rear seats
Semi-autonomous parking assist (NX350h only)
To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the Lexus NX safe?
The current-generation Lexus NX achieved the maximum ANCAP five-star rating in 2022.
Category
Lexus NX
Adult occupant protection
91 per cent
Child occupant protection
89 per cent
Vulnerable road user protection
83 per cent
Safety assist
92 per cent
Standard safety equipment highlights:
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
Pedestrian detection
Daytime cyclist detection
Junction assist
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic assist
Safe exit assist
Lane departure alert
Lane Tracing Assist (lane centring)
Emergency Steering Assist
Adaptive cruise control
Traffic sign recognition
Reversing camera
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring
Choose the F Sport or Sports Luxury trim and you also get a surround-view camera system as standard.
Every new NX also comes with a three-year complimentary subscription to Lexus Connected Services.
To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool
How much does the Lexus NX cost to run?
The Lexus NX is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Servicing and Warranty
Lexus NX350
Warranty
5 years, unlimited kilometres 10 years, unlimited kilometres (HV battery, service dependent)
Roadside assistance
3 years
Service intervals
12 months or 15,000 kilometres
Capped price servicing
5 years or 75,000 kilometres
Total capped price service cost
$595 per service $2975 total
The brand has a terrific reputation for aftersales ownership enticements, with Lexus Encore offering the luxury treatment including complimentary loan cars and the possibility of car collection and return for servicing, plus exclusive customer events and experiences, too.
To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is a consummate luxury vehicle that is easy to live with, charming to drive, and has a sumptuous level of standard kit, even if you’re spending this much.
However, I think there is better value in the Luxury grade if you’re looking to save a bit of cash. It’s the one I’d buy if I was in the market for one of these. And yes, it’d be the 350h.
Interested in buying a Lexus NX? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Following the announcement of the Westin Jaipur Resort, a 150-room luxury property set to open soon on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, the group has already started work on its second hospitality project in Jaipur, says Manglam.
Recognising the surging demand for premium wedding destinations, Manglam Group said its expansion includes luxury resorts tailored for grand celebrations. (Representative photo)
Manglam Group, Rajasthan’s leading real estate developer, has said it is making a decisive move into the Rs 82,000 crore Indian hospitality industry with a Rs 1,000 crore investment plan over the next five years. It said this strategic expansion leverages the group’s expertise in real estate to develop premium hospitality assets, reshaping Rajasthan’s tourism landscape with a focus on luxury and world-class experiences.
“With over 70 completed real estate projects, Manglam Group is channeling its market expertise into greenfield hospitality projects, prioritising new developments rather than acquiring existing or brownfield properties. The group is targeting high-growth tourism segments, including destination weddings, leisure travel, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions),” the company said in a statement.
Following the announcement of the Westin Jaipur Resort, a 150-room luxury property set to open soon on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, the group has already started work on its second hospitality project in Jaipur. This new hotel will be a part of a mixed-use development in Jagatpura and will be managed under an international hotel partnership, marking Manglam Group’s first collaboration with a global hospitality brand. This upcoming property will feature approximately 200 rooms, further strengthening Manglam Group’s footprint in Jaipur’s luxury hospitality sector, it added.
Recognising the surging demand for premium wedding destinations, Manglam Group said its expansion includes luxury resorts tailored for grand celebrations. Rajasthan is India’s top wedding destination, with the industry valued at $130 billion and growing at 13–15% annually. Manglam’s upcoming properties will offer bespoke wedding venues, seamlessly blending regal heritage with contemporary luxury. Additionally, India’s MICE industry, valued at $4.5 billion, presents a massive opportunity. Manglam’s expansion will include high-end accommodations and conference facilities catering to business travellers.
Amrita Gupta, director of Manglam Group, said, “Our Rs 1,000 crore hospitality investment is a strategic step toward reshaping Rajasthan’s tourism industry. The demand for world-class luxury experiences is at an all-time high, and Manglam Group is committed to delivering exceptional hospitality assets that cater to this evolving market. This expansion goes beyond a single project; it is about creating a lasting impact on Rajasthan’s tourism ecosystem.”
Jaipur, known for its majestic palaces, heritage forts, and rich cultural legacy, has solidified its position as a premier wedding destination in India. The city attracts couples from across the country and the world who seek regal and picturesque venues for their celebrations. Its architectural grandeur, combined with modern luxury, makes it an unparalleled choice for high-end wedding events.
“With a long-term vision for hospitality, Manglam Group is set to launch a diverse portfolio of properties that will strengthen Rajasthan’s position as a premier destination for luxury tourism, corporate travel, and cultural experiences. While Jaipur remains the primary focus of Manglam Group’s 1,000-room development plan, the company is actively exploring hospitality opportunities in other parts of Rajasthan and even in Goa. The group’s expansion strategy aims to position itself as a key player in India’s high-end hospitality sector,” it added.
News business » real-estate Manglam Group Makes Foray Into Rs 82,000-Crore Hospitality Segment, Commits Rs 1,000 Crore Investment
In case, you are looking for a cool and interesting way to earn a quick buck, Here’s a platform that pays you for filling out simple surveys. Toluna Group lets you take surveys for forming a database for market research.
Toluna is a worldwide survey technology provider and claims to be the “ World’s Largest social voting community” which has more than nine million survey takers.
In this review, you will get a detailed insight into Toluna, Let’s look into this review article now:
Overview
Name
Toluna
Owner
Frederic-Charles Petit
Founded Year
2000
Headquarters
Paris, France
Type
Online Surveys
Apps
iPhone & Android Devices
Support
Email, Phone
Website
www.toluna.com
What is Toluna?
Toluna is a community survey platform that offers online surveys in return for rewards. This is a Paris( France) based company, managed by the Toluna Group and a well known market research company preferred by brands around the world. With more than 9 million survey takers, for the people who want to make money by taking surveys, Toluna is a preferred option.
The users that register on Toluna and take up these surveys are known as “Toluna Influencers”. These surveys completed are used by the major brands to help them figure out their business plan. It is one of the world’s most popular survey sites which has a very strong subscriber base and an effective portfolio of clients.
With 16+ offices globally, Toluna team aims to provide better products and quality to the consumers. They do it by surveying for the brands and thus it helps in dealing with customer satisfaction and to improve their business plan.
How to Register on Toluna?
Toluna provides its membership to 49 countries. The number of surveys that are available depends on your location.
Step 1: You can fill up the registration form online and sign up for Toluna.
Step 2: After the Toluna login, you will be asked to verify your account by providing your personal details. Further, you are good to take the online surveys.
Toluna Influencers are paid in the form of points which can be redeemed further in the form of gift cards, vouchers, etc. There are two types of Toluna surveys available listed below:
Profile Surveys: These surveys take a short period of time to complete where you are rewarded with 100 points.
Longer Surveys: These surveys take a longer duration to complete typically about 10 to 30 minutes with much higher rewards
You can update your personal information by logging into your account. Select “Account” in the top right corner and then click the Edit option. You can also view your account activity such as credits purchased, surveys launched, and the current status of your subscription.
In cases where you forget your password, you can do it by Clicking the Sign in button at the top right side. Then click the “forgot your password” option and follow the instructions further which you will be able to retrieve your password.
How to make money in Toluna?
There are 8 ways to earn in Toluna which are as follows:
Toluna Surveys: They are the most effective way of earningToluna points. There are multiple surveys available online to complete at any point of time. Usually the majority of the surveys pay 1000-2000 points which lasts for about 20 minutes. 5500 Toluna points are roughly equivalent to 1 pound.
Completing Profile Surveys: You will find the “Profile Surveys” under the surveys option at the top of the screen. Each profile consists of 14 Surveys each and you will get 100points for each survey.
Participate in Polls: In this you will usually earn a points reward of 15 points per poll, usually takes seconds to complete
Post in the Toluna community: You can also earn points by posting your content in the Toluna Community. You may win up to 1000 points per post if your post gets qualified.
Participate in the Contest: Toluna offers launch contests to encourage the users to post more in the community. Inreturn they are rewarded with some points and other prizes.
Start your own contest: you will also be rewarded with points and prizes if you start your own contest.
Refer a friend to Toluna: you can share your referral link with your friends and you will get 500 bonus points for each friend upto 10 months
Play Toluna Games:You can also win points by playing games. You can win about 80-1000 points by spinning the wheel.
How to redeem points in Toluna?
There are 3 ways to redeem the points in Toluna which are listed below:
Rewards:It offers a variety of gift cards with an option to cashout by Paypal. The cheapest gift card costs around 30,000 points
Gifties: These are the tickets you can buy to win a range of rewards
Sweepstakes: You can also exchange your points to get a chance to join the monthly sweepstakes where you can buy branded items
You need to reach of minimum of 30,000 points which are listed below:
$10 gift card for Starbucks- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Cheesecake factory- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Redbox- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for JiffyLube- 30,000 points
$25 gift card for Restaurants.com-45,000 points
$25 gift card for Walmart- 45,000 points
$25 gift card for Fandango- 45,000 points
Toluna is it Legit or Scam?
As per the Toluna reviews, it has been found that Toluna is a legitimate business. Despite its long wait times, it has a noted record of paying its clients and further issuing them good rewards.
It is a company that offers to pay on each survey you take. It has been very popular and has become one of the people’s number one choices regarding online surveys. They also have a base of around 13 million users and is on a rapid expansion
Toluna also has an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau(BBB) with only around 31 customer complaints. Further, it has a 3.8 rating on the Trustpilot with more than 2,100 Toluna reviews.
There are a lot more positive reviews compared to the criticism. It has great customer service for which it accounts as one of the legit organizations that pay people in response to the online surveys.
Conclusion
It is to be acknowledged that Toluna is a legitimate business which pays its users based on the surveys they take.It is one of the top rated companies with a trusted community of 1+ million members which make it highly recommended.
It is an honest way to make full time income on the internet by taking surveys. It has no hidden costs and in turn you will learn how to build a flourishing business online in Toluna. It also allows you to choose surveys in categories which you are interested in.
Thus finally it is advisable that Toluna is worth giving a try. You can take it as a fun experience and further you will enjoy it a lot. If you are looking to earn income by taking up online surveys, then Toluna is definitely on the top lists which are trusted.
FAQ
How much does it cost to join Toluna?
No, Signing up for Toluna is completely free. Sign up today and access its features free of cost
Does Toluna pay in cash?
Toluna Influencers are compensated in points, which can be exchanged for a variety of items such as gift cards, competition entries, or plain old cash.
How long do the surveys take to complete?
It is dependent on the targeting and the screening questions. The more of these questions you have, the longer your survey may take to complete.
How do I cash out my Toluna points?
You need to have at least 60000 points. Go to rewards, convert your points into cash through, 60000points=$20.
Is Toluna Survey Legit?
Toluna is a safe and reliable platform. It is not a scam, and millions of people from all over the world have taken their surveys for over ten years. However, your experience with the site may vary from that of other survey takers.
Toluna Ratings
User Review
1.12 (354 votes)
Pros
It is a very reputed company which is operating.
It is completely free to join and features are free to use
Modern and user-friendly interface
You can earn money by answering the surveys on the go while on the phone
Interesting Surveys
Get a consolation prize even if any disqualified
Cons
The disqualifications can be frustrating
There is a minimum cashout of $30 which is hard to reach
Some of its surveys take time to complete
Some users complain about the long wait times for payments or rewards
If your brand treats video like an extra in the background of your marketing strategy, it’s time to make it the star. Discover why, learn the trends for 2025, and see examples of B2B and B2C brands that make video shine.
Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia has announced a fee hike for the academic year 2025-26, with increases ranging from 16 to 41 per cent across various courses.
A comparison of the latest prospectus with that of the previous year reveals a sharp rise in tuition fees.
The Department of Persian has seen a 41.41 per cent increase, with fees rising from ₹6,700 to ₹9,475 per year.
The Department of Arabic follows closely, with a 37.15 per cent hike, pushing annual fees from ₹7,200 to ₹9,875.
Similarly, foreign language programmes, including BA (Hons) in Turkish and other languages, have also witnessed a 37.15 per cent fee rise.
Social sciences programmes, including MA and BA (Hons) in political science, four-year BA (multidisciplinary) and BCom (Hons), now cost ₹9,875 per year, reflecting a 32.99 per cent increase from the previous ₹7,425.
Science programmes, including BSc (multidisciplinary), geography, mathematics and physics, have undergone a 34.29 per cent hike, raising fees from ₹7,800 to ₹10,475 per year.
The fees for professional courses have also been increased. BTech programmes have seen a 19.04 per cent hike, increasing from ₹16,150 to ₹19,225 per year, while MTech programmes now cost ₹21,375 per year, marking a 16.48 per cent rise.
Law programmes, including LLM (regular) and BA LLB (Hons), have seen a 19 per cent hike, raising fees from ₹15,000 to ₹17,850 annually.
With all programmes witnessing an increase in tuition fees, students may face additional financial strain.
Meanwhile, the university has also announced the launch of 14 new courses and expanded its use of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) scores for admissions.
This year, 25 programmes — including nine undergraduate, five postgraduate, eight diploma, and three advanced diploma courses — will admit students based on CUET merit, up from 20 last year.
Internet doesn’t come cheap. After you factor in equipment rental costs, the average monthly cost of internet is around $78 — a steep price for households trying to stick to a budget. If you’re looking for cheaper internet plans, we’ve got you covered with an extensive list of the cheapest, most cost-efficient plans offered by ISPs nationwide.
Xfinity is the best cheap internet provider thanks to its incredibly low starting price of $20 to $35 per month (depending on your location) for speeds of 150Mbps. Astound Broadband matches that price and for faster speeds, too. However, Astound does not offer the same wide coverage as Xfinity. According to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission, Xfinity provides services for over 34% of households in the country, while Astound’s coverage is only 2%. In other words, your address is more likely to be serviceable with Xfinity rather than Astound, but if you can get Astound at your address, go for it.
You should keep in mind that the low promo pricing you see can increase after a year or so, and equipment fees and steep rate increases down the road can also increase your bill. That low pricing from Xfinity won’t last forever, for example. Your price can jump to as high as $72 a month after a year. Although Astound’s prices won’t increase that much right away, you’ll likely see an $8 to $20 increase on your bill after a year.
Needless to say, your service with cheap ISPs might start at a competitive price, but after the promo period expires, you’ll have to pay higher prices. If you don’t want to deal with promo pricing, you can find more stable pricing from providers such as AT&T Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet and Quantum Fiber, which start with higher rates but promise stable pricing.
The availability of cheap internet providers and their plans vary by location. Additionally, in some cases, choosing the cheapest plan may mean settling for relatively slow speeds. There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a competitive internet plan; this guide attempts to answer all your questions on how to make the most of your dollar when shopping for home internet.
All prices referenced below include applicable discounts for setting up monthly automatic payments, a standard industry offering.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Best cheap internet providers
Speed range
150 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$19 – $95 per month
Our take – Xfinity Connect starts at $20 to $35 per month, depending on your location, for download speeds up to 150Mbps. It isn’t the best internet deal you’ll find, but it is one of the cheaper broadband options available throughout much of the US.
...
Or call to learn more:
(844) 507-0600
Speed range
150 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$19 – $95 per month
Speed range
100 – 1,500 Mbps
Price range
$20 – $80 per month
Our take – Astound and Xfinity share similar pricing. Both cable providers are notorious for hiking prices after a year. The only reason why Astound is our second choice is due to its limited availability.
...
Or call to learn more:
(855) 847-8125
Speed range
100 – 1,500 Mbps
Price range
$20 – $80 per month
Speed range
300 – 5,000 Mbps
Price range
$55 – $250 per month
Our take – CNET recommends fiber out of any other internet connection type since it’ll offer you the best value. AT&T Fiber’s prices start at $55 per month for 300Mbps, which isn’t particularly cheap at first glance, but the good news is that it boasts excellent value due to its free equipment rental, unlimited data and no set price increases.
...
Or call to learn more:
(833) 318-8270
Speed range
300 – 5,000 Mbps
Price range
$55 – $250 per month
Speed range
500 – 5,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $155 per month
Our take – With Frontier, you get the right price and speed. Its 200Mbps plan costs just $30 a month for symmetrical upload and download speeds. Plus, for a limited time, you can upgrade to 500Mbps for just $30 monthly, too. Your equipment rental and unlimited data are also included in the price.
...
Or call to learn more:
(877) 332-3281
Speed range
500 – 5,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $155 per month
Speed range
100 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$25 – $80 per month
Our take – Residents of rural areas throughout the Midwest and South, as well as parts of Arizona and California, can rely on Mediacom for cheap broadband service starting at around $50 a month for speeds up to 300Mbps. That noted, prices increase to $65 monthly after the first year. The plan comes with unlimited data and doesn’t require a contract.
...
Or call to learn more:
(833) 249-0540
Speed range
100 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$25 – $80 per month
Speed range
200 – 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 – $165 per month
Our take – Quantum Fiber is currently offering a price lock that guarantees the same monthly rate for as long as you keep your plan. That doesn’t mean the all-in costs will never go up — taxes and fees are always subject to change — but your internet rate will not increase.
...
Or call to learn more:
(833) 391-9661
Speed range
200 – 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 – $165 per month
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
85 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $70 per month
Our take – Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet may share the same intro pricing at $50 per month, but Verizon offers a better bundle discount. Service includes free equipment, unlimited data and no contracts, plus a $15 to $25 discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers who add home internet. Even better, you get to keep your price for up to five years with Verizon.
...
Or call to learn more:
(844) 750-9912
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
85 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $70 per month
Connection
Mostly cable, some fiber
Speed range
100 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $110 per month
Our take – Standard Cox internet plans are priced a bit on the high side. The cheapest internet plan from Cox has one of the highest costs per Mbps of any plan featured on this list.
...
Or call to learn more:
(855) 390-5372
Connection
Mostly cable, some fiber
Speed range
100 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $110 per month
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
50 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 – $80 per month
Our take – Starry Connect starts at $15 a month for symmetrical speeds up to 30Mbps. There are no equipment fees, data caps, credit checks or contracts. The only qualification for signing up is living in a public and affordable housing building that has been approved to carry the service.
...
Or call to learn more:
(877) 860-8917
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
50 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 – $80 per month
Speed range
500 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $80 per month
Our take – Spectrum is one of the major cable internet providers in the country. But what are its prices? Promo pricing ranges from $50 to $70 a month, plus a free modem is included with the gigabit plan (a $10 value). You can also save money if you bundle with a TV service or two mobile lines. For comparison, Cox, Mediacom, Xfinity and others may charge $13 to $15 or higher per month to rent equipment.
...
Or call to learn more:
(877) 327-9119
Speed range
500 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $80 per month
Cheap internet providers compared
Plan
Starting price
Max download speed
Cost per Mbps
Equipment fee
Mediacom Xtream Connect Read full review
$15
100Mbps
15 cents
$15 (optional)
Xfinity Internet Essentials Read full review
$15
75Mbps
20 cents
None
Starry Connect Read full review
$15
30Mbps
50 cents
None
Ziply Fiber 100
$20
100Mbps
2 cents
$15 (optional)
Astound Broadband 300 Read full review
$20
300Mbps
7 cents
None
Xfinity Connect Read full review
$20
150Mbps
13 cents
$15 (optional)
Kinetic Fiber 100
$25
300Mbps
25 cents
$11 (optional)
Brightspeed Fiber 200
$29
200Mbps
14 cents
None
Frontier Fiber 500 Read full review
$30
500Mbps
6 cents
None
WOW Internet 300 Read full review
$30
300Mbps
10 cents
None
Frontier Fiber 200 Read full review
$30
200Mbps
15 cents
None
Cox Connect Assist
$30
100Mbps
30 cents
$15 (optional)
Metronet 100 Read full review
$35
150Mbps
23 cents
None
Armstrong Zoom Express Read full review
$35
25Mbps
$1.40
$11 (optional)
Optimum Fiber 300 Read full review
$40
300Mbps
13 cents
None
Kinetic Fiber 300
$40
300Mbps
13 cents
$11 (optional)
Sparklight Connect 100 Read full review
$40
100Mbps
40 cents
$15 (optional)
GoNetspeed 500
$45
500Mbps
9 cents
None
Metronet 500 Read full review
$45
500Mbps
9 cents
None
Quantum Fiber 200
$45
200Mbps
22 cents
None
Spectrum Internet Read full review
$50
500Mbps
10 cents
$10 router (optional)
T-Mobile Home Internet Unlimited Read full review
$50
318Mbps
15 cents
None
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review
$50
300Mbps
17 cents
None
Verizon Fios 300 Read full review
$50
300Mbps
17 cents
None
Cox Go Faster
$50
250Mbps
20 cents
$15 (optional)
Mediacom Xtream Internet 300 Read full review
$50
300Mbps
17 cents
$15 (optional)
Hughesnet Select Read full review
$50
50Mbps
$1
$15 monthly or $300 one-time purchase
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review
$55
300Mbps
18 cents
None
CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Read full review
$55
100Mbps
55 cents
$15 (optional)
Rise Broadband 50 Read full review
$55
50Mbps
$1.10
$10 modem; $15 router (optional)
Show more (25 items)
Consider speeds, additional costs and contracts
There’s more to the cost of internet than just the advertised price. Here are some other factors you’ll want to consider before signing up for the absolute cheapest plan.
Speeds: Will the lowest-priced plan deliver the speeds that you need? It’s possible that the cheapest plan won’t meet your internet needs, so it might be worth exploring other providers or upgrading to a faster, more expensive plan. For example, while Astound’s 300Mbps plan costs a reasonable $20 a month, Xfinity’s Connect plan features 150Mbps for the same price (not including the $15 equipment rental). If you have higher-than-average internet usage habits and a plan like Astound’s isn’t available to you, you may find that opting for a slightly more expensive plan could significantly boost your internet speeds and make for a better overall experience.
Added costs: Taxes are to be expected with any internet service, but added costs for equipment rental, data overages, installation and more will vary by provider. Make sure you’re accounting for those extra prices and reading the fine print thoroughly to check for hidden fees.
Contracts and price increases: Locking yourself into a contract with your ISP can be costly, especially if the plan price increases before the service agreement expires. Canceling before the contract expires can also result in early termination fees. Additionally, many providers increase the price after 12 months of service, with or without a contract. If you plan on keeping your service past the 12-month mark, be aware of what the monthly costs may be down the road.
Most ISPs provide these details through broadband labels. Check out our guide on how you can navigate broadband labels.
How we evaluated the cheapest internet providers
CNET’s process for reviewing and recommending internet providers involves extensive research of everything one would need to make an informed decision regarding the best ISP for their needs.
We start by referencing the Federal Communications Commission to determine a provider’s national coverage and specific regions of operation, as well as the technology they use to deliver service. We then gather and verify pricing and speed information along with what are often lesser-known or “fine print” considerations, such as data caps, contract requirements and equipment fees.
We also take into account customer satisfaction reports from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, when available, and the frequency of outages and complaints filed on sites like downdetector.com and the Better Business Bureau.
I relied on these considerations and others, including average cost per Mbps and scheduled price increases after one year, when compiling our list of the best cheap internet providers.
See our guide to how CNET reviews internet service providers for more information about our review process.
Cheap internet honorable mentions
These national providers also have broadband service starting at or below $50 a month but did not make our list of the best cheap ISPs due to high cost per megabit per second, inconsistent pricing or limited service areas.
Kinetic by Windstream: A solid choice for home internet in rural areas, Kinetic by Windstream has broadband plans with unlimited data starting at $35 per month for download speeds of 300Mbps. Pricing and available speeds can vary widely by location, so the available cheap internet plans will depend on where you live.
Metronet: Metronet is a smaller ISP with a footprint in the Midwest and Southwest. For a smaller internet provider, it offers competitive rates. The lowest tier starts at $35 monthly for 150Mbps of speed. If that’s not enough speed, you can upgrade to 500Mbps for $45 monthly. Neither plan comes with a data cap, requires a contract and comes with free equipment rentals.
Verizon Fios: The cheapest Verizon Fios plan, with speeds up to 300Mbps starting at $50 per month, offers plenty of value. The midtier plan (up to 500Mbps starting at $70 per month) and gig service (starting at $90 per month) aren’t bad deals, either, but you may be able to find faster speeds for the same amount of money from other providers.
Ziply Fiber: Regional provider Ziply Fiber has some of the fastest speeds you’ll find from any ISP, not to mention the lowest introductory pricing. The cheapest plan starts at $20 per month for symmetrical max speeds of 100Mbps.
What’s the final word on the best cheap internet providers?
For the absolute cheapest internet service, look to cable providers such as Xfinity, Astound and Frontier. But keep in mind the low pricing may come with a looming price increase, added equipment rental fees, contracts and data caps, depending on the provider and where you live.
Other providers, such as AT&T Fiber, Spectrum and Quantum Fiber, may not have the absolute lowest pricing, but they still add value in other ways. Price guarantees, bundle discounts and other customer-friendly attributes make such providers worthy of consideration for cheap internet.
Cheap internet FAQs
What’s the cheapest internet available?
Cable and fiber internet are likely to be your best cheap internet options. Plans can be a bit more expensive than dial-up or DSL service, but the speeds and connection quality that you get are well worth the added cost.
While there are a few internet providers that offer a low introductory rate of $20 a month, such as Xfinity, Astound and Ziply Fiber, CNET recommends going with Xfinity. Its plans features cheap monthly rates, at least in the first year or so, and for a decent speed of 150Mbps. If you want faster internet, you can upgrade to 300Mbps for an additional $5 monthly. Finally, Xfinity boasts a wider coverage than Astound and Ziply Fiber.
What cheap internet options are available to low-income households?
Why is my internet bill increasing every year?
Internet providers often advertise introductory pricing, a lower rate of service available to new customers for a limited time, often one to two years. After the introductory pricing ends, the monthly service rate may increase by as much as $30 or more, depending on the provider and offer you choose.
Most providers also have a “price lock” or price guarantee for a limited time, even if there is no special discounted rate. After the price guarantee period ends, providers are free to raise your rates at any time, for any reason. Price hikes may be necessary to support ongoing network maintenance and expansion or offset rising operation costs.
If your internet bill continues to go up, year after year, consider calling your ISP to see if you can negotiate a better price. Otherwise, you may want to explore other internet options in your area to find a better rate.
Many providers offer internet deals for seniors and low-income households. Such plans typically with speeds ranging from 30 to 100Mbps for around $30 or less per month. AT&T, Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity and others have their own discounted internet plans designed to help keep those in low-income households — including seniors — connected.
Chronic back pain is the most common type of pain, affecting around 16 million American adults — and now a new study has revealed some discouraging findings about potential treatments.
Only around one in every 10 treatments was found to be effective in relieving lower back pain, according to a new study published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.
Many of them are “barely better than a placebo” in terms of pain relief, as stated in a press release from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia.
‘DEAD BUTT SYNDROME’ COULD HAPPEN AFTER SITTING TOO LONG, HERE’S HOW TO AVOID THE CONDITION
“Our review did not find reliable evidence of large effects for any of the included treatments,” said lead study author Dr. Aidan Cashin, deputy director of the Centre for Pain IMPACT at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and conjoint senior lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at UNSW Sydney.
Only around one in every 10 treatments was found to be effective in relieving lower back pain, according to a new study.(iStock)
The researchers reviewed 301 randomized, controlled trials that included data on 56 non-surgical treatments for adults experiencing acute low back pain, chronic low back pain or a combination of both types, comparing them to groups that received placebos.
“Treatments included in the research were pharmacological, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – or NSAIDs – and muscle relaxants, but also non-pharmacological, like exercise and massage,” Cashin said.
Effective and ineffective treatments
Ineffective treatments for acute low back pain included exercise, steroid injections and paracetamol (acetaminophen), the study found.
For chronic low back pain, antibiotics and anaesthetics were also “unlikely to be suitable treatment options,” the study found.
Around 16 million adults experience persistent or chronic back pain, data shows.(iStock)
For acute low back pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could be effective, the study found.
For chronic low back pain, therapies including exercise, taping, spinal manipulation, antidepressants and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) agonists may be effective — “however, those effects were small,” Cashin noted.
“Things like stress, sleep quality, fatigue, fear, social situations, nutrition, sickness and previous history of pain all play a role in how we experience pain.”
The findings were “inconclusive” for many other treatments due to the “limited number of randomized participants and poor study quality,” the researchers stated.
“We need further high-quality, placebo-controlled trials to understand the efficacy of treatments and remove the uncertainty for both patients and clinical teams,” Cashin said.
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Dr. Stephen Clark, a physical therapist and chief clinical officer at Confluent Health in Georgia, noted that the study was looking at “isolated interventions.”
“They excluded studies where it was not possible to isolate the effectiveness of the target intervention,” Clark, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
‘Complex condition’
Pain is a complex condition influenced by many different factors, according to Clark.
“Determining a specific cause of low back pain, particularly when the pain is persistent, is difficult, as the BMJ study points out,” he said.
For acute low back pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could be effective, the study found.(iStock)
“Things like stress, sleep quality, fatigue, fear, social situations, nutrition, sickness and previous history of pain all play a role in how we experience pain.”
Clark recommends “multimodal” treatments for pain, including multiple interventions tailored to each individual patient’s experience.
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“Physical therapy research shows that manual therapy (joint mobilization/manipulation, soft tissue techniques), active interventions like exercise, and education about why you hurt and what to do about it is the ticket,” he said.
“It’s also important to remember that what worked for someone else might not be the exact pathway that works for you,” one physical therapist said.(iStock)
“It’s also important to remember that what worked for someone else might not be the exact pathway that works for you.”
While surgical intervention can be effective for some patients, Clark noted that it can present its own challenges and should be a “last resort” for non-emergency situations.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“While surgery is indicated in some cases, it’s almost never the answer in isolation,” he said. “Understanding pain and the complexity around a person’s situation must be in view.”
“In many cases, conservative care can prevent or delay the need for invasive procedures.”
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
Is there anyone who can say no to a delicious dessert? Don’t know about you, but Bobby Deol clearly can’t. How do we know? Well, the actor has announced it himself on Instagram. Bobby Deol has allowed us to take a look at his cheat day routine. On his Instagram stories, he has shared a picture of himself diving into a scrumptious bowl of bread pudding dessert. It included a succulent scoop of vanilla ice cream, accompanied by small pieces of bread pudding, which was further topped with creamy custard sauce. Not only this, but the frame also featured another plate of desserts kept in front of him. On it, we can spot a delicious chocolate cake and another scoop of vanilla ice cream. “Because cheat days are well-earned!” read Bobby’s note atop it. Take a look: Also Read: Actor Dalip Tahil Gives Viral Dosa, Idli, Sambar, Chutney, Chutney Trend A Sindhi Spin
The next picture on Bobby Deol’s Instagram stories also highlighted how he balances those extra calories earned on a cheat day. He shared a picture of himself posing for the camera while standing inside a green park, and his caption revealed that he went for a walk after indulging in those meals. He wrote, “Needed a good walk to balance those calories.”
Also Read: Neha Kakkar Enjoys Lavish In-Flight Meal Before Landing In Australia Bobby Deol often makes us a part of his culinary adventures. Earlier, on his 56th birthday in January, the actor cut some delicious cakes with his fans outside his Mumbai residence. In a few videos on Instagram, we can spot three giant cakes. The first cake was a 5-tier wonder adorned with white and blue frosting and many pictures of the star. The second one was a three-tier motichoor cake with a big, white placard reading “Japnaam” on it, as a reference to Bobby’s famed character from the TV series ‘Ashram’. Read here to know more. Before that, Bobby Deol made his Instagram community a part of yet another cheat day. It was while celebrating the release of ‘Animal’ that the actor was seen indulging in a lip-smacking snack with an “extra piece of butter and honey.” In the video, he declared, “I’m about to eat it,” adding, “Mmmm, divine,” while enjoying the delicacy. Click here to read the full story.
We are simply drooling over the scrumptious food items from Bobby Deol’s foodie diaries.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-19/Zelenskyy-Trump-to-hold-phone-talks-Wednesday-Ukrainian-media-1BScLBXefja/img/0fe96ec183f0457cb7c3a6b77a40551d/0fe96ec183f0457cb7c3a6b77a40551d.png' alt='This combination of pictures created on February 19, 2025, shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) in Brussels, December 19, 2024, and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., February 10, 2025. /VCG'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will hold phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
“I will be in contact with President Trump today. We will discuss the details with him today, including … the details of the next steps,” he said.
Zelenskyy said he hopes that Trump would share details of his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Tuesday, Trump and Putin agreed that the movement to peace in Ukraine “will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace,” the White House said in a statement.
Man Infraconstruction Limited (MICL) today unveiled Avaan Tower 2, a 306-meter residential skyscraper in Mumbai’s Tardeo neighborhood that the company claims is India’s tallest ultra-luxury residential building.
The shares of Man Infraconstruction Limited (MICL) were trading at ₹151.65 up by ₹7.26 or 5.03 per cent at the closing bell.
The project features 3, 4, and 5 BHK residences ranging from 1,300 to 3,282 square feet of carpet area, with a total project area of 650,000 square feet. MICL projects the development will generate over ₹3,000 crore in revenue.
Designed by architect Hafeez Contractor, the tower offers views of the Arabian Sea, Queen’s Necklace, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, and the Mumbai skyline. It includes more than 55 amenities, including an ocean-view infinity pool, UFC gym, private theater, and bowling alley.
“Aaradhya Avaan is more than just a residence—it is a statement of neo-luxury living,” said Manan Shah, Managing Director of MICL, in the announcement.
MICL reported consolidated total income of ₹1,360 crore and net profit of ₹300 crore for the financial year ending March 31, 2024. The company operates in construction and real estate development, with projects across India.
The development comes as luxury real estate in Mumbai continues to attract high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals from India and abroad.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
KAD su u pitanju japanke, brend koji mnogima odmah pada na pamet je Havaianas. Ovaj brazilski brend, poznat po svojim ležernim i trendi japankama upravo je objavio veliku vijest – manekenka Gigi Hadidi službeno je postala njihova nova globalna ambasadorica.
“Biti globalna ambasadorica brenda Havaianas je nestvarno i pomalo nostalgično,” izjavila je Gigi u službenom priopćenju. “Odrastajući na plaži, ne sjećam se vremena kada nisam nosila ovaj ljetni klasik.”
“Prekrasan model, ali za drugu kampanju”
Brend je kampanju s novom ambasadoricom predstavio na svojim društvenim mrežama, a Gigi je u objavama rekla kako želi da Havaianas japanke budu ponovno popularne u velikim gradovima poput Pariza, New Yorka i Los Angelesa.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Komentari na kampanju su podijeljeni. Dok jedni hvale brend i Gigi, drugi smatraju da je ona bila loš izbor: “Uvijek imam par sa sobom, nikad ne idem na bazen bez njih”, Doslovce su sve što nosim”, “Gigi je divna”, “Trebali ste odabrati Brazilku da predstavlja brazilski brend”, “Trebala je biti Brazilka”, “Ne zna čak ni izgovoriti ime brenda. Prekrasan model, ali za drugu kampanju”, “Ne”.
Kampanju, koja donosi Hadidinu ljubav prema Havaianas japankama, snimila je njena bliska prijateljica i fotografkinja Alana O’Herlihy. Fotografije savršeno spajaju visoku modu s prepoznatljivom brazilskom lakoćom življenja.
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Phelan Bucknor of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High had a career day at the plate on Wednesday. He had six hits and five RBIs by the end of the fifth inning in a 24-3 Mission League win over host Chaminade.
The game started with Bucknor, the leadoff hitter who came into the game with a .421 average, collecting a double. It only got better.
In the second inning, he hit a two-run home run over Chaminade’s short right-field fence. In the third, he singled. In the fourth, he had a run-scoring single. In the fifth, he singled in his first at-bat, then singled again later in the inning, driving in two runs during a nine-run rally. In his final plate appearance in the seventh, he popped out.
Notre Dame finished with 22 hits. Jake Norolan had four hits and two RBIs.
Notre Dame entered the week struggling with a 2-7 record and 0-2 mark in the Mission League. Now the Knights are 4-7 and 2-2.
Crespi 4, St. Francis 0: Josh Stonehouse hit a two-run home run and Justin Kim, Jonah Sidel and Mikey Martinez combined for the shutout to help Crespi improve to 9-0.
Harvard-Westlake 4, Sierra Canyon 3: Drew Rico, who struck out on Tuesday in the bottom of the seventh with the tying run at third in an 8-7 loss, came through on Wednesday with an RBI single in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie for the Wolverines. Ira Rootman had a home run and double.
Loyola 12, Bishop Alemany 3: The Cubs improved to 3-1 in the Mission League. Wyatt Clougherty had four hits and three RBIs and Walter Urbon and James Dell’Amico each had two hits and two RBIs.
El Camino Real 3, Cleveland 2. Adan Viner tied the score for El Camino Real with a two-out RBI single in bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings, then the Royals won it in the bottom of the ninth on a squeeze by Joey Hernandez. Kaeden Riepl threw eight innings for Cleveland, scattering 10 hits. Joshua Pearlstein went four for four to lead Cleveland, including two doubles. Luke Howe struck out six with no walks in 5 2/3 innings for El Camino Real.
Chatsworth 8, Granada Hills 1: Luis Zaragosa struck out seven, walked none and threw a four-hitter for the Chancellors. Micah Klotz, Christopher Vasconez and Vicente Martinez contributed doubles. Assane Diaw homered for Granada Hills.
Birmingham 4, Taft 1: Allen Olmos struck out eight with no walks in the West Valley League win for Birmingham (7-2, 3-0), which will be playing in next week’s Boras Classic in Orange County.
San Pedro 3, Banning 2: Anthony Solis threw a complete game, striking out five with no walks, for San Pedro in the Marine League win. He also had two RBIs.
Narbonne 7, Carson 6: Sophomore Adrian Rodriguez went four for four to lead Narbonne.
Mater Dei 4, Murrieta Valley 0: The Monarchs (7-0) received six shutout innings from Landon Gordon to stay unbeaten.
Huntington Beach 3, Marina 1: Four pitchers combined on a four-hitter for the No. 2-ranked Oilers. Trent Grindlinger homered and Trevor Goldenetz had a triple and single.
West Ranch 9, Canyon Country Canyon 6: Landon Hu and Mikey Murr each had two hits and Carter Friedrichsen finished with three RBIs in the Foothill League win.
Saugus 8, Valencia 1: Kaleb Haag threw six scoreless innings in the Foothill League win for Saugus.
St. John Bosco 7, Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day 2: Jack Champlin threw five innings for the win in Las Vegas. Carlos Barajas and Micah Tagiuam each had RBI doubles.
Agoura 10, Hart 6: Tyler Starling homered and Colton Mellinger had two doubles for the Chargers.
Simi Valley 11, Moorpark 1: Sophomore Evan Rodriguez had two doubles and three RBIs and Kyle Casey struck out seven in six innings to lead the Pioneers.
Quartz Hill 10, Palmdale 0: Chris Lozano threw a five-inning perfect game for Quartz Hill.
Cypress 8, JSerra 4: Noah Johnson and Garret Rodriguez each had two hits for Cypress. Blake Bowen hit a two-run home run for JSerra.
Villa Park 2, Santa Margarita 1: Sophomore Logan Hoppie picked up the save.
Mira Costa 4, West Torrance 0: The Mustangs are 9-2 and 3-0 in the Bay League. Freshman Kekoa Delatori threw five scoreless innings.
Los Alamitos 4, Edison 3: Sutton Deninno had the walk-off single in the seventh for Los Alamitos. Tristan Dalzell struck out eight with no walks in 5 1/3 innings for the Griffins.
Newport Harbor 1, Corona del Mar 0: A run in the seventh inning gave Newport Harbor the victory. Keaton Anderson threw six scoreless innings in the win. Stevie Jones struck out six with no walks for Corona del Mar.
Softball
Louisville 3, Newbury Park 0: Kelsey Vitalis struck out eight and Lily Rodriguez went three for three to lead Louisville.
Granada Hills Kennedy 9, Highland 4: Melaney Velasco had three hits and four RBIs for the Golden Cougars.
Oaks Christian 4, Simi Valley 3: Gio Otani hit a walk-off home run for Oaks Christian. Trystyn Crutcher had a two-run home run.
When will Google Pixel 9a be launched? Google Pixel 9a is trending on several social media platforms. This has led many netizens to wonder whether it is launching anytime soon. If you have come across any such rumour, here is everything to know about the much-awaited smartphone.
What is the rumour?
Multiple rumours and leaks surrounding the phone are surfacing on the Internet, mentioning details such as the launch date, specifications, and the price.
Unboxing video of Pixel 9a on YouTube
An unboxing video of the Pixel 9a is doing rounds on YouTube. In a 10-minute-long video, the YouTuber claims to have unboxed the unannounced smartphone and shared the related information.
Also Read: Buying iPhone & other Apple gadgets online? After Swiggy, Blinkit, now this quick commerce company offers fast delivery
Google Pixel 9a listed on Germany, UAE retailer website
Apart from that, the phone has been also been listed on retailer websites in Germany and the UAE, suggesting the price and specifications.
WATCH: Nothing Phone 3(a) Series Unboxing And First Impression
What has the company said?
It is important to note that the company has not shared any official details about the smartphone yet.
In fact, it hasn’t made any announcement regarding this phone.
Travelling is one of the best ways to form core memories. Whether exploring a new culture to de-stressing with new culinary flavours, travel has always become the go-to for unwinding and relaxing. What makes travelling particularly a ‘knight in shining armour’ is its healing qualities- the ability to uplift mood after months of long stretch of work, school or college. This March-April time is spring break in schools and even colleges. Families take this opportunity to rejuvenate with a good vacation and restart, all freshened up.
Families go for vacations during the spring break.(Shutterstock)
But there’s always a catch. As you plan the itinerary for the entire family, you realise the coveted vacation may burn a hole in your pocket. But with a clever strategy, one can make the most of their vacation time without breaking the bank or compromising on the travel experience.
The solution lies in looking for places that are budget-friendly. Agoda, a digital travel platform recently unveiled a list of budget-friendly destinations in Asia, comprising of both international and domestic places. For international travel, Vietnam’s Phong Nha seized the first spot, while the second place went to Tirupati, showing a trend towards spiritual travel in India during spring break. The list featured Tirupati, the only Indian place among the other Asian places.
Let’s take a look at the ranking list Agoda released. The list is prepared based on the average room rates in these destinations.
ALSO READ: Money-saving travel hacks to know: Best day, month to book air tickets and more tips
Top 3 on the affordable list
These are the top-rank holders on the affordable destination list shared by Agoda
1. Phong Nha, Vietnam (Rs. 2,431)
The first spot on Agoda’s Cheapest Destination List goes to Phong Nha in Vietnam where the room rates start as low as Rs. 2,431. It’s a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts as this place has plenty of beautiful caves and green landscapes. With a host of activities, from hiking, and cycling to exploring the local culture, Phong Nha has a lot to offer. Phong Nha also has the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, which houses some of the world’s largest caves.
2. Tirupati, India (Rs. 2,952)
It is noteworthy to see that the only destination from India on the list is Tirupati. It is second on this list and the most preferred cheap domestic destination. In fact, since it is the only domestic destination on the list, this implies that springtime sees a spike in prices across the mainstream vacation spots, from hillsides to beaches; making Tirupati a favourable option for those seeking an affordable vacation.
Tirupati is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The Venkateshwara Temple makes Tirupati renowned. Tirupati is also famous for its Tirupati laddu, a sweet that has a deep cultural and spiritual importance. Other than this, visitors can also explore nearby attractions like the serene Talakona Waterfalls, the lush Sri Venkateswara National Park, and the historic Chandragiri Fort.
3. Hat Yai, Thailand (Rs. 3,473)
Earlier, Hat Yai ranked first on Agoda’s Cheapest Christmas Destinations. It has bagged the third spot on the spring list as well. Hat Yai is beloved for its excellent culinary flavours, making exploring the local markets and trying street foods an absolute must. Additionally, it’s also plenty of beaches and island, ideal for tropical vibes in spring time.
Other destinations on the list
Alongside the top three, several other Asian places also made it to Agoda’s list. These are:
Padang, Indonesia (Rs.3,473): Famous for its culinary heritage, Padang is a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering iconic dishes like Rendang and Sate Padang. Visitors also explore its stunning beaches, such as Air Manis Beach, or take a short trip to the Mentawai Islands for surfing and snorkelling.
Bacolod, Philippines (Rs. 3,994): Known as the “City of Smiles,” Bacolod offers a warm welcome and a laid-back vibe. Travellers can explore historical landmarks like The Ruins, a grand mansion from the early 1900s, or enjoy the city’s mouthwatering food scene, including its famous chicken inasal.
Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia (Rs. 4,168): Visitors can explore the city’s iconic Crystal Mosque or take a boat ride to the nearby Redang Island for snorkelling and diving. The city’s rich cultural heritage, including its batik-making traditions, is unique experience.
Gimpo, South Korea (Rs. 5,731): Located near Seoul, Gimpo offers a quieter alternative with scenic parks and cultural sites. Visitors can enjoy a look around the National Aviation Museum or explore the Gimpo Sculpture Park. The city’s beautiful natural scenery including the Munsu Mountain and the Han River makes it an excellent destination for a peaceful appreciation of South Korea’s springtime beauty and cherry blossoms.
Narita, Japan (Rs. 6,165): Beyond its Tokyo-servicing airport, Narita is a charming city with historic temples and picturesque gardens. Visitors can explore Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a centuries-old Buddhist temple. Spring travellers can also enjoy cherry blossoms at Naritasan Park and sample local delicacies like unagi (grilled eel).
Pingtung, Taiwan (Rs.6,860): Visitors can explore Kenting National Park, known for its dramatic coastal scenery and outdoor activities. The city’s markets and local cuisine provide a taste of Taiwan’s unique flavours.
ALSO READ: Always overpacking your travel itinerary? Here’s how to plan according to your family size
God of War fans are counting down to the release of the free Dark Odyssey DLC for Ragnarok on PS5.
The God of War Ragnarok Dark Odyssey Collection will be available as a free download for owners of the game on PlayStation and Steam. The Dark Odyssey DLC has a March 20 release date and should be available from around 2pm GMT UK time.
The free DLC contains new skins for Kratos and his companion characters based on the original working title for God of War. It’s the same style that appeared as a reward for completing God of War 2 on God mode.
Sony explains more: “As a gift to everyone who owns God of War Ragnarok, on March 20th we will be releasing an update for all players on PlayStation and PC that includes the Dark Odyssey collection at no additional cost.
“Inspired by the working name of God of War (2005) and the skin that originally appeared in God of War II as a reward for beating the game on God Mode difficulty, we are bringing the classic black and gold theme for the 20th anniversary.
“Once the update is live, you’ll be able access the collection below from any Lost Items chest in the base game or automatically while in Valhalla.”
The Dark Odyssey Collection contains the Dark Odyssey appearance for Kratos, as well as the Dark Odyssey Armour Set, which contains the Dark Odyssey Breastplate, Dark Odyssey Bracers and Dark Odyssey Belt.
You’ll also receive the Dark Odyssey Vestment for Atreus and the Dark Odyssey Witch Frock for Freya, not to mention themed appearances and attachments for the Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos and Draupnir Spear.
Dark Odyssey Guardian Shield, Dauntless Shield, Stone Wall Shield, Shatter Start Shield, Onslaught Shield, Spartan Aspis Shield and Rönd.
In addition to the Dark Odyssey Collection, fans will be able to grab Anniversary-themed items for Steam accounts, as well as a free anniversary-themed PlayStation Network Avatar.
As an added bonus, God of War Ragnarok is currently available at a discounted price from the PlayStation Store.
The sequel to the 2018 God of War reboot, Ragnarok can be purchased for £34.99 for a limited time only.
Vehicle theft is at an all-time high in Victoria, and it’s one of the fastest-growing crimes in the state.
Crime data for the 2024 calendar year released today by Victoria Police showed 28,922 stolen vehicle offences were recorded in the state last year, 8432 more than in 2023.
While Victoria Police listed theft from motor vehicles, theft from retail stores and other theft offences as faster-growing due to having a higher increase in the total number of offences, vehicle theft was the crime with the greatest year-on-year percentage increase, skyrocketing by 41.2 per cent.
Stolen vehicle crimes are now at the highest levels in the state since 2002, with the methods employed by thieves also changing.
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Victoria Police data has shown one in five vehicles are stolen without their keys.
Instead, thieves are using an OBD-reading tool intended for mechanics and locksmiths to disable a car’s alarm, delete the original keys paired to the car and then pair a new set of keys, with the only physical requirements for criminals being hacking into the front bumper, disabling the horn and unlocking a door.
This method has been extensively reported on by CarExpert, particularly relating to the sharp increase in thefts of VF Holden Commodores.
While some stolen Commodores are being used to joyride, others are being rebirthed, in which certain identifying features from multiple cars – such as Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and chassis numbers – are being transferred to pass a vehicle off as another vehicle.
As previously reported, temporary deterrents to theft include mechanical devices such as Club Locks and Cop Locks, while a PIN-coded immobiliser and relocated horn could also help reduce the likelihood of your car being stolen.
In addition to Holden Commodores, Victoria Police has also shown thefts of certain Toyota and Subaru vehicles have increased dramatically year-on-year.
Victoria Police last month advised owners to park their vehicles off the street and ensure their vehicles are locked.
“Technology is also playing a part in rising crime, with vehicle thefts sharply increasing as offenders use electronic devices to exploit vehicle security systems and steal cars,” Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill said in a media statement.
“Victoria Police continues to engage vehicle manufacturers around this issue, while vehicle owners can protect themselves from falling victim by installing cheap and easy crime prevention measures.”
Former Holden parent General Motors Australia and New Zealand (GMANZ) previously told CarExpert it’s “aware of reports of vehicle thefts where offenders are misusing an aftermarket locksmith’s tool sold for general vehicle use”.
“The purchase of this tool is currently unregulated.”
Last year, 75,731 theft from motor vehicle offences were recorded in Victoria, an increase of 18,929 offences or one-third more than the year prior.
According to Victoria Police, 27,466 number plate theft offences were recorded, with the stolen items allegedly used to “carry out further serious offending in stolen vehicles”.
Police have urged “the community to always lock their cars, remove valuables, and park off street where possible”, with 55 per cent of all theft from motor vehicles showing no signs of forced entry.
MORE: Toyota, Holden, Subaru thefts rise massively in this Australian state MORE: How thieves use fake licence plates to cover their tracks MORE: Car thefts reach record high in Australian state MORE: Holden parent ‘aware’ of Commodore theft crisis, solution no closer MORE: Massive number of Holden and HSV cars being stolen using cheap eBay tool MORE: Stolen Holdens seized amid theft crisis MORE: Stolen Holdens recovered in Victorian crackdown on ‘rebirthing’
US Federal Reserve Meet: Along with the decision, officials updated their rate cut projections. They see 50 basis points rate cut in 2025.
Jerome Powell says Inflation remains elevated against target of 2% and tariffs were responsible for driving inflation expectations.
US Fed Meeting: The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday kept its key interest rates unchanged at 4.25%-4.50% for the second day in a row. It is in line with the market expectations. In a post-meeting press briefing, US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the status quo decision was taken after reviewing economic activity. He added that inflation remains elevated against the target of 2% and tariffs were responsible for driving inflation expectations.
Along with the decision, officials updated their rate cut projections. They see 50 basis points rate cut in 2025.
The Jerome Powell-led FOMC decided to cut the 2025 GDP growth projection and said the inflation is set to rise.
In an official statement, the FOMC highlighted uncertainty around the economy.
“Uncertainty around the economic outlook has increased. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate,” the FOMC said in a post-meeting statement.
Briefing the reporters after the US Fed rate decision, Powell said, “US Fed decided to leave policy interest rate unchanged after reviewing economic activity. Inflation remains elevated against target of 2% and tariffs were responsible for driving inflation expectations.”
FOMC Outcome: How Do Markets React?
After the status quo decision, US stock market saw an uptick with the Dow Jones trading 0.56 per cent higher and the tech-heavy Nasdaq up by 1.13 per cent.
However, the dollar index eased slightly to trade at 103.67. The 10-year US bond yields were also marginally down to 4.287%.
Ahead of the meeting, the US stock markets were trading higher than the previous day though they were off their day highs. The Dow Jones were trading 0.32 per cent higher and the Nasdaq was up by 0.68 per cent at 11:06 pm (IST).
The dollar index was also trading 0.58 per cent higher at 103.84. The benchmark US 10-year bond yields were up by 0.035 at 4.318 per cent.
US Fed To Reduce Treasury Securities
“The Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage‑backed securities. Beginning in April, the Committee will slow the pace of decline of its securities holdings by reducing the monthly redemption cap on Treasury securities from $25 billion to $5 billion. The Committee will maintain the monthly redemption cap on agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities at $35 billion,” FOMC stated.
That means it will allow only up to $5 billion of its massive trove of Treasurys to mature each month, down from a prior cap of $25 billion.
By reinvesting more in Treasurys each month, the Fed will essentially be helping to keep longer-term yields lower than they would otherwise be.
The US Macro Data
The US unemployment rate edged up to 4.1% in February and the economy added 151,000 jobs. Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target with a coming read for February expected to show a slight increase, but policymakers so far have continued to bank on a drop this year.
Since Trump took office in January, his administration has overhauled trade policy, slashed the federal workforce, clamped down on immigration and reconfigured America’s relationship with its allies — structural changes that have put American consumers, businesses and investors on edge.
In the previous monetary policy review in January 2025, the US Federal Reserve had kept its key interest rates unchanged at 4.25-4.50 per cent.
Before that, on December 18, 2024, the US Fed had announced a cut in the key interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.25-4.50 per cent. It was the third rate cut by FOMC in three months, with the first rate cut announced in September (by 50 basis points) and second in November (by 25 bps). The first cut in the current rate cut cycle came in September after 2024 a gap of four years.
News business » economy US Fed Meeting: FOMC Holds Interest Rate For Second Time At 4.25-4.5%, Sees 50 bps Cut In 2025
Today, March 20, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC), the world’s largest cryptocurrency, appears to be shifting from its prolonged consolidation to massive upside momentum. The Fed’s decision to hold interest rates steady during the March FOMC meeting has pushed BTC above a crucial level.
Bitcoin (BTC) Technical Analysis and Upcoming Levels
According to expert technical analysis, after the March FOMC, BTC breached its prolonged consolidation and the resistance it faced from the 200 Exponential Moving Average (EMA) on the daily timeframe.
Despite the breakout, it is not yet fully confirmed whether BTC will rally or continue its prolonged consolidation. Based on recent price action and historical patterns, if BTC closes a daily candle above the $85,800 mark, there is a strong possibility it could soar by 8% to reach $92,600 in the coming days.
Source: Trading View
This bullish thesis will remain valid only if BTC holds above the $85,600 mark; otherwise, it may fail.
Current Price Momentum
At press time, Bitcoin is trading near $85,500, having surged over 4.50% in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, its trading volume has jumped by 40% during the same period, indicating heightened participation from traders and investors compared to the previous day following bullish price action.
Major Liquidation Areas
After bullish price action and impressive upside momentum, traders seem optimistic about the asset, as reported by the on-chain analytics firm CoinGlass.
Source: Coinglass
Data revealed that traders are currently over-leveraged at $83,400, a level where they hold nearly $920 million worth of long positions. On the other hand, $86,300 is another over-leveraged level where traders betting on the short side have held $375 million worth of short positions.
When combining these on-chain metrics with technical analysis, it appears that bulls dominate and push BTC toward reclaiming the $90,000 mark.
If you’re often exhausted and don’t have enough energy to make it through the day, you might ask yourself: Am I sleep-deprived, or am I dealing with a more serious medical condition? Multiple sleep disorders can affect your energy levels, and two that often get confused for one another are narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Though both chronic fatigue syndrome and narcolepsy can cause someone to feel fatigued during the day, the source of how they disturb your sleep is different. Both also have unique symptoms and treatments, which is why it’s essential to know the difference between the two if you think you have a sleep disorder.
What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
Everyone knows what it’s like to be fatigued: you have no energy, concentrating is tough and you struggle to do everyday tasks because of it. Normal fatigue is something anyone can experience, but when things extend past regular bouts of fatigue, it becomes something else called chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a nervous system disorder that results in extreme fatigue, pain and disturbed sleep. The effects get worse when someone is active. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, the five main symptoms needed to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome are:
Extreme fatigue that makes it harder to do daily tasks
Symptoms must be present for more than six months to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Other symptoms like muscle pain, headaches and dizziness can also be present.
Experts don’t know the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, potential causes may be immune system changes, infections, body chemistry changes or genetics. Chronic fatigue syndrome is often confused with other conditions because many symptoms overlap. The most common is narcolepsy.
PrathanChorruangsak/Getty Images
What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy differs from fatigue because it’s a chronic neurological disorder that compromises your brain’s sleep/wake control. Your brain can’t always choose when you are asleep or awake. This results in falling asleep without warning. It’s particularly dangerous if it happens while doing everyday activities like walking, driving or eating. Sudden sleep attacks can happen multiple times daily, lasting from a few seconds to hours.
There are two categories of narcolepsy: type 1 and type 2. The difference is that type 1 narcolepsy has cataplexy, the sudden loss of muscle tone, while type 2 does not. Despite the typical depiction of narcolepsy, it’s not only excessive daytime sleepiness. Those with narcolepsy also experience uneven and interrupted sleep patterns at night. If left untreated, it can significantly impact your ability to function in everyday life.
What are the main symptoms of narcolepsy?
According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, up to 0.16% of people worldwide have narcolepsy. So it’s not a common condition. However, with any disorder, knowing what the symptoms are can help you anticipate and cope if you live with narcolepsy. The symptoms of narcolepsy are as follows:
Like chronic fatigue syndrome, the exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown. However, there is research suggesting that the cause of type 1 narcolepsy (with cataplexy) is because of a low level of hypocretin, the neuropeptide involved in wakefulness. Hypocretin is made in the hypothalamus, which experiences cell death with type 1 narcolepsy. Factors that are suspected to work together to contribute to low hypocretin levels are autoimmune disorders and genetics. Though rare, narcolepsy can result after a traumatic brain injury. This is called secondary narcolepsy.
Chronic fatigue syndrome and narcolepsy can seem similar on the surface because of the fatigue and sleepiness that defines the conditions. However, there are significant differences between the two.
How are chronic fatigue syndrome and narcolepsy different?
Symptoms
While there is overlap in how narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome appear, they are different conditions marked by unique symptoms and impacts.
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that compromises someone’s ability to control whether they are awake or asleep. A person with narcolepsy cannot always choose if they are going to sleep or not.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a nervous system disorder that leaves one with no energy. It doesn’t affect someone’s ability to choose to go to sleep.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, energy treatment and over-the-counter painkillers are standard treatment options for managing symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. Dietary supplements to boost your nutrition may also be recommended.
There is no cure for narcolepsy, though it does respond to treatment. Popular treatment options include behavioral therapy, medications and nap therapy. Various types of medications can treat narcolepsy. Modafinil is an FDA-approved stimulant drug that treats excessive daytime sleepiness. There are also two classes of antidepressants — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants — that can help treat cataplexy and suppress hypnagogic hallucinations, per the National Sleep Foundation.
Lifestyle changes for narcolepsy can also help someone manage their condition. Establishing a bedtime routine and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed can help minimize nighttime sleep disruptions.
Sleep
Our bodies naturally progress through the sleep cycle, which comprises four stages: three NREM and one REM. People with narcolepsy do not slowly move through the stages of sleep as the average person does. Instead, they jump to REM sleep quickly, within 15 minutes of falling asleep. Even though those with chronic fatigue syndrome often get poor sleep, they progress through the sleep stages.
Another difference between the two conditions is that those with chronic fatigue syndrome typically don’t feel well-rested after sleep. After a narcoleptic sleep event, someone may feel refreshed.
Too long; didn’t read?
Narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome are two diagnosable medical conditions. And while overlapping symptoms can make them seem similar, they are significantly different based on their treatment and impact.
Both conditions cause a person to be extremely tired and impact their sleep quality. There is no cure for either, but both are treatable with help. Speak with your doctor if you suspect you have narcolepsy or chronic fatigue syndrome.
A new bird flu outbreak has been confirmed as the virus continues to spread across the U.S.
The deadly H7N9 strain was detected on a poultry farm in Noxubee, Mississippi, last week, for the first time since 2017.
The infection of 47,654 commercial broiler-breeder chickens was confirmed on March 13 by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
NEW BIRD FLU STRAIN DETECTED ON POULTRY FARM AS EXPERTS MONITOR MUTATIONS
Samples of the flock were tested at the Mississippi Veterinary Research & Diagnostic Laboratory and came back positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, the State of Mississippi Board of Animal Health announced in a press release on March 12.
The deadly H7N9 strain was detected on a poultry farm in Noxubee, Mississippi, last week, for the first time since 2017.(REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu)
The affected area has been quarantined and birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent spread.
None of the birds from the flock have entered the food system, according to the Mississippi board.
BIRD FLU PROVES FATAL TO CATS: HERE’S HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PETS
“The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with state animal health and wildlife officials, is conducting a comprehensive epidemiological investigation and enhanced surveillance in response to the detection,” WOAH wrote in its report.
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The H5N1 strain of bird flu has caused the most damage to poultry in recent years, as well as the death of one person, although H7N9 has had a “high death rate for humans worldwide,” according to Reuters.
The H5N1 strain of bird flu has caused the most damage to poultry in recent years, as well as the death of one person, although H7N9 has had a “high death rate for humans worldwide,” according to Reuters.(iStock)
The strain has reportedly killed 616 of the 1,568 people infected globally since its first detection in China in 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.
Neither of the two forms of bird flu have been found to transmit easily from person to person.
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Although cases of bird flu have continued to rise in recent weeks, WebMD CEO and practicing physician Dr. John Whyte recently told Fox News Digital that there shouldn’t be too much concern.
“You definitely want to cook poultry, and you definitely want to make sure you cook eggs, typically at an internal temperature of about 165 degrees,” Dr. John Whyte advised amid bird flu outbreaks.(AP/Terry Chea)
“You definitely want to cook poultry, and you definitely want to make sure you cook eggs, typically at an internal temperature of about 165 degrees,” he advised. “But you don’t want to be eating runny eggs right now.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
“Of all the things that I’m concerned about right now in terms of flu, in terms of other respiratory viruses, in terms of outbreaks of measles, I’m aware of bird flu, and I think people should be aware of it, but I’m not overly concerned about it.”
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
Thecha is one of that classic Maharashtrian condiments that is super flavourful. With its fiery taste and nutty flavour, it is no surprise that thecha is loved by spice lovers across India. You can pair it with dal-rice or any snack, this chutney-like delight adds instant heat and flavour to your dishes. But why just stop at having it as a side dish? You can turn thecha into delicious dishes like thecha paneer, thecha Maggi or even thecha sandwiches! It’s a versatile ingredient. If you love thecha and are looking for ways to incorporate more of it into your diet, then you have landed on the right page! Here, we bring you a delicious snack recipe – chicken thecha kebabs! It is juicy, spicy and so delicious that you wouldn’t be able to stop after one. Let’s see how you can make this.
Also Read: Love Kairi? You Need To Try This Maharashtrian-Style Raw Mango Thecha
What Makes Chicken Thecha Kebabs A Must-Have?
If you love bold and spicy flavours, then chicken thecha kebabs are a must-try. These kebabs have the signature smoky thecha taste with the juiciness of minced chicken, that makes this snack irresistible. Plus, these kebabs are packed with simple, wholesome ingredients, which makes them both flavourful and easy to prepare. For evening snacks, house parties or even as a protein meal, these thecha chicken kebabs are a must-try!
How To Make Chicken Thecha Kebabs | Chicken Thecha Kebabs Recipe
Making chicken thecha kebabs is pretty simple. This recipe was shared on Instagram by digital content creator @my_hunger_diaries. To make this:
1. Prepare Thecha
In a pan over medium heat, dry roast the garlic, green chillies, peanuts, and salt. Do this until the chillies roast a bit and everything smells nutty and aromatic. Once cool, transfer the ingredients into a mixer grinder along with coriander leaves, stems, and lemon juice. You can also use a mortar and pestle for an authentic rustic texture.
2. Prepare The Kebabs
In a mixing bowl, combine minced chicken with cumin powder, besan, chopped onion, salt, and all the thecha. Mix well until combined together.
3. Shape The Kebabs
Divide the mixture into 7 equal portions. Wet your hands a bit and take a dollop of the chicken mixture. Shape the kebabs with the help of wooden skewers. Soak them beforehand to prevent burning. Shape them into the shapes of kebabs.
4. Cook
Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Shallow fry the kebabs, turning occasionally, until golden and just cooked through. Make sure not to overcook it as the kebabs might dry out quickly. Serve hot with lemon wedges and salad!
Can You Make Chicken Thecha Kebabs In An Air Fryer?
Absolutely! While pan frying is always an option, if you want to cut down on excess oil, cook these chicken thecha kebabs in an air fryer. All you have to do is brush the kebabs lightly with oil and air fry them at 180°C for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. This would give you guilt-free kebabs in no time!
Watch the full video below:
Also Read: Is Chicken Kebab Your Favourite Snack? Make A Meal Out Of It With This Kadai Chicken Kebab Curry Recipe
Will you try this recipe? Let us know in the comments below!
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-19/Trump-administration-releases-Kennedy-assassination-documents-1BSfXVTsl9e/img/e8277a52cb9f485d897b3362fe575c53/e8277a52cb9f485d897b3362fe575c53.png' alt='John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally and his wife Nellie Connally ride together in a convertible limousine in Dallas, Texas, U.S., November 22, 1963. Several stops later, JFK and Connally were shot in the limousine. /VCG'
Unredacted documents related to the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy (JFK) were released by the Donald Trump administration on Tuesday.
About 2,200 files consisting of over 63,000 pages were posted on the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration website.
The vast majority of the National Archives’ collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination had previously been released.
Trump told reporters on Monday that the release was coming, though he estimated it at about 80,000 pages. “We have a tremendous amount of paper. You’ve got a lot of reading,” he said while visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.
He said people have been waiting for decades for the release.
JFK, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the murder, yet numerous conspiracy theories about the circumstances of Oswald’s dramatic death two days after the assassination remain prevalent even today.
On January 23, Trump signed an executive order to declassify any remaining files from the assassinations of JFK, his brother Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
In a series of social media posts, Jack Schlossberg, a frequent critic of the Trump administration, said his family was not given a “heads up” about the release.
IHG Hotels and Resorts has a pipeline of 60 hotels, due to open in India in the next three-five years, said Sudeep Jain, Managing Director – South West Asia, IHG. Currently, in India, the global hotel has 47 hotels operating across five brands — Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, he told newspersons on Wednesday.
In India, IHG has a total of 7,719 keys (rooms). In Tamil Nadu, it has three hotels — all in Chennai — with total keys of 456. The InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram has 105 keys; Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway has 202 keys and Holiday Inn Express Chennai OMR Thoraipakkam has 149 keys, he said. IHG plans to open a hotel in Kodaikanal, he added.
On new projects, Jain said it is planned in major tier-I and tier-II cities, religious places and leisure locations. On Thursday, the company will sign a project in Penn in Maharashtra, he added.
Globally, for IHG, India is an important growth market, he said, declining to give any financial details. “We plan to introduce our other brands, including Garner, in a few months,” he added.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
ŽENA koja redovito kupuje u američkoj trgovini Dollar Tree u nedavnoj je TikTok objavi podijelila kako misli da zaposlenici zloupotrebljavaju svoje radno mjesto kako bi lakše došli do viralnih proizvoda. Mnoge trgovine imaju ograničenja na broj proizvoda koje možete kupiti kada su u pitanju popularni i traženi artikli – bilo da se radi o bočici vode u limitiranom izdanju ili klima uređajima tijekom ljeta.
Ali kada neki ljudi ne moraju igrati po istim pravilima kao ostali kupci, to može biti prilično frustrirajuće.
Mnogi su prozvali preprodavače
Korisnica @tiktocksister je vidjela ljude kako kupuju kutije proizvoda, ne ostavljajući ništa za druge kupce, a čula je jednu osobu kako govori zaposlenici da kupuje toliko jer ih kasnije preprodaje. Pitala je zaposlenicu zašto je tako teško pronaći taj proizvod, na što joj je zaposlenica odgovorila: “Ti su proizvodi u skladištu, ali ih nećemo iznijeti jer ih zaposlenici zadržavaju za sebe.”
“Dakle, između ljudi koji mogu kupiti neograničene količine, preprodavača koji sve kupe odjednom i zaposlenika koji gomilaju proizvode za sebe, razumijem zašto su svi frustrirani i ne mogu ništa pronaći”, zaključila je.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
U komentarima su mnogi osudili preprodavače: “Odbijam kupiti artikl iz Dollar Treeja od preprodavača”, “Ljudi moraju prestati kupovati od preprodavača”, “Dollar Tree je za ljude koji si ne mogu priuštiti ništa skuplje. Preprodavači narušavaju cijelu zamisao”, “Nikad ne kupujem od preprodavača.”
Javila se i jedna osoba koja radi kao upravitelj jedne Dollar Tree trgovine: “Jedan kupac je kupio dezodoranse i gelove za tuširanje u vrijednosti od 410 dolara. Nakon toga sam ograničio broj artikala koji je moguće kupiti na pet. Prezirem ljude koji to rade, nije fer prema drugim kupcima, a i zaposlenici trebaju prestati skrivati proizvode. Nikad ih ne kupe.”
Ovo nije jedini primjer
Već se prije događalo da kupci prozivaju zaposlenike trgovina da gomilaju viralne proizvode. Primjerice, prošle godine kad je krenula nova pompa za Hello Kitty proizvodima, jedna se žena suočila s djelatnicom trgovine koja je pokušala zadržati Hello Kitty deke za sebe, piše Daily Dot.
Međutim, mnoge trgovine imaju pravila kako bi spriječile zaposlenike i pojedince da kupuju prevelike količine proizvoda, te stavljaju ograničenja na broj istog artikla koje osoba smije kupiti. Ta pravila često vrijede i za zaposlenike.
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TOKYO — It lasted just three innings. It included a grand total of 56 pitches. And it was nowhere near a flawless introduction to Major League Baseball.
But was it ever one heck of a show.
Making his Major League Baseball debut Wednesday night, in front of his home nation at a sold-out Tokyo Dome and under immense pressure that had been building ever since his mid-January signing, Roki Sasaki’s first Dodgers start ran the full gamut of emotions, and included the kind of twists and turns that will likely define his rookie MLB season.
There was jaw-dropping stuff — including four consecutive 100 mph fastballs to start the night, a flurry of signature splitters that seemed to break in unpredictable directions every time they were unleashed from his right middle and index fingers, and even a few swing-and-miss sliders that effectively complemented his other two primary pitches.
There was also wildly inconsistent command — leading him to walk five of the 14 batters he faced on the night, miss the strike zone on more than 55% of his total pitches, and spend much of his night working out of constant stress.
There were highlight reel moments — like when he blew Seiya Suzuki away for his first career strikeout, and stranded the bases loaded in the third on back-to-back punchouts of Michael Busch and Matt Shaw.
And then there were expected examples of growing pains — from Sasaki’s inability to slow the running game, to the bases-loaded free pass he issued to Kyle Tucker that resulted in his only run allowed.
Welcome to the Roki Sasaki experience, one that should make the 23-year-old right-hander one of the most interesting players to watch on this year’s Dodgers team, if not all of baseball.
On any given pitch, the Japanese phenom can dazzle with his talent, and dominate with his pure athletic ability. On any given night, he might make entire big-league lineups look foolish at the plate.
Yet, at any given moment, he can also lose his rhythm, pepper the ball anywhere but the strike zone, and create chaos for himself and his Dodgers team.
Roki Sasaki yells after striking out the Cubs’ Matt Shaw to end the third inning and escape a bases-loaded jam.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Buckle up. Because when Sasaki pitches, it will almost assuredly be must-see TV.
“When you get youth and talent, which is Roki, what that introduces is variance,” manager Dave Roberts said. “So there’s going to be some really high highs, and then some things that you just don’t know that are gonna happen, because of his inexperience.”
The good news for the Dodgers: Sasaki’s inexperience didn’t derail Wednesday’s debut, with the pitcher working out of just enough trouble to preserve a three-inning, one-run line in the Dodgers’ 6-3 Tokyo Series-sweeping win.
In the first inning, Sasaki was flawless. He lit up the radar gun with fastballs of 100, 100, 100 and then 101 mph to begin the night. He pumped 99-mph heat past Suzuki to record his first career K. He retired the side in order while a captivated Japanese crowd roared in applause.
From there, however, little came easy.
Sasaki lost fastball after fastball to his arm side in the second inning, issuing walks to Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson before getting a reprieve on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s line-out double play. He started spraying the ball again in the third, following Jon Berti’s one-out single — the only hit Sasaki allowed in his outing — with three straight walks to force in a run.
At that point, the Dodgers still had a 3-1 cushion, thanks to a two-run rally in the second-inning rally and solo home run from Tommy Edman in the third. They’d add more insurance later in the game on a two-run home run from Kiké Hernández in the fourth and, to the raucous delight of the Tokyo Dome crowd, a Shohei Ohtani solo blast in the fifth.
But in this moment, with Sasaki seemingly on the ropes, Roberts got his bullpen active while staring toward the mound with a contemplative gaze.
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It felt like, with Sasaki’s pitch count climbing quickly, he was likely down to his final couple batters.
Then, in the most telling sequence of the night, he struck out both to extinguish the danger — spotting three outer-edge fastballs to sit Busch down looking, before dialing up a pair of sliders to Shaw that he helplessly swung through — and end his debut with a deep sigh of relief.
Realme has officially launched the Realme P3 Ultra 5G and Realme P3 5G in India, bringing powerful specifications and unique design elements to the market. The highlight of the Ultra variant is the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra SoC, while the standard Realme P3 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset. Both smartphones pack 6,000mAh batteries, with the Ultra model supporting 80W AI bypass charging for faster and more efficient power delivery.
One of the standout features of the Realme P3 Ultra 5G is its glow-in-the-dark rear panel, achieved using a starlight ink process. The phones will be available for early bird sales later today, March 19.
The phone comes in Neptune Blue and Orion Red with a vegan leather finish, alongside a special glow-in-the-dark lunar design. Customers can purchase the base variant at an effective price of Rs. 22,999, including bank offers of up to Rs. 3,000 and an additional Rs. 1,000 exchange discount.
The first sale of the Realme P3 Ultra 5G will begin on March 25 at 12 PM IST, while pre-bookings start today at 2 PM IST.
Realme P3 5G: Price list
•6GB + 128GB: Rs. 16,999
•8GB + 128GB: Rs. 17,999
•8GB + 256GB: Rs. 19,999
The phone will be available in Comet Grey, Nebula Pink, and Space Silver. Customers can avail a Rs. 2,000 bank offer, bringing down the effective price further.
When & where to buy
The first sale for the Realme P3 5G begins on March 26 at 12 PM IST, but an early bird sale is scheduled today from 6 PM to 10 PM IST.
Both Realme P3 5G and P3 Ultra 5G will be sold via Flipkart, Realme’s official e-store, and offline retail partners across India.
With competitive pricing, powerful specifications, and eye-catching design, Realme’s latest smartphones are set to make an impact in the mid-range segment.
Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, while replying to the question in Lok Sabha, highlighted the Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to provide lower berth accommodations to Senior Citizens, Women, and Specially-abled people, said a press statement.
Indian Railways boosts comfort for elderly and women with more lower berths!(File Photo)
Senior citizens, female passengers aged 45 years and above, and pregnant women are automatically allotted lower berths subject to availability, even if no specific choice is indicated during booking, added the statement.
The minister said that a dedicated quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in Sleeper Class, four to five lower berths per coach in air-conditioned 3 Tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in Air Conditioned 2 Tier (2AC) fixed for senior citizen.
Vaishnaw said that this provision is available depending on the number of coaches in the train to ensure maximum convenience.
He said that the facility of reservation Quota for Persons with Disabilities is applicable in all mail/express trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi-type trains, irrespective of whether concession facilities are availed or not, mentioned in the statement.
Also, the quota of four berths in the Sleeper Class (including two lower berths), four berths in 3AC/3E (including two lower berths), and four seats in Reserved Second Sitting (2S) or Air-Conditioned Chair Car (CC) fixed, said the statement.
In the event of vacant lower berths during the journey, preference is given to Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and pregnant women who may have been initially allotted middle or upper berths.
Vaishnaw said that Indian Railways remains dedicated to offering seamless and comfortable travel experiences through these inclusive measures. Passengers are encouraged to take advantage of these facilities for a safe and convenient journey.
Harry Potter is perhaps the most famous book and movie franchise across the world. Fans fell in love with the wizarding world and its characters, from Harry himself to Dumbledore and Dobby to Hagrid.
But there are just some characters we all love to hate – and that’s just as true for author J.K. Rowling.
Back in Halloween 2014, she decided to give fans an insight into the lore around the character she despises the most in her iconic wizarding world.
Surprisingly, it is not the notorious Lord Voldemort, the dark wizard who is the central villain of the series’ seven books. Instead, it is the vile and power-hungry Dolores Umbridge, the Ministry of Magic bureaucrat who torments Harry Potter and his friends with cruel punishments and a false sense of justice.
Rowling’s aversion to Umbridge goes beyond mere fictional disdain, as the character was inspired by a real-life figure from her past.
Introduced in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Umbridge begins as the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic and gradually ascends to more power, ultimately taking over as the Headmistress of Hogwarts.
While Voldemort embodies pure evil, Umbridge’s brand of tyranny is far more chilling due to the way it’s disguised behind a mask of order, authority, and an obsession with the law.
Rowling has often referred to Umbridge as one of her least favorite characters, and described her in the essay as “the character for whom I feel the purest dislike”.
Rowling writes: “Her desire to control, to punish, and to inflict pain, all in the name of law and order, are, I think, every bit as reprehensible as Lord Voldemort’s unvarnished espousal of evil.”
Later in the article, Rowling revealed the real person behind the despicable character, detailing that she was based on a real woman from her past.
Though Rowling did not name the individual, she explained that this person was a teacher whom she had encountered “long ago” in her own education.
“The woman in question returned my antipathy with interest. Why we took against each other so instantly, heartily and (on my side, at least) irrationally, I honestly cannot say”, she added.
Rowling also described the teacher’s appearance, specifically her “pronounced taste for twee accessories,” mentioning in particular a “tiny little plastic bow slide, pale lemon in color,” which she felt was “more appropriate to a girl of three”.
In the same Pottermore essay, Rowling also revealed some fascinating details about Umbridge’s backstory, like her phobia of non-humans and her secret “half-blood” status – meaning she would be the daughter of a wizard and a Muggle (a non-magical person) – despite her behavior in the books, where she regularly boasts about her “pure-blood” credentials and expresses disdain for Muggle-born wizards and witches.
Toyota has given its Corolla Cross small SUV a very minor update for 2025. Like the Japanese auto brand’s wider hybrid model range, it now ditches the ‘Hybrid’ badging and instead picks up ‘HEV’ badging.
Another minor specification change is the addition of wireless Android Auto connectivity across the whole range. It was previously only available in wired form.
Since its local debut in 2022, the Corolla Cross has remained largely the same. Last year, all the pure-petrol variants were axed in a move that saw Toyota’s entire passenger car and crossover lineup, bar its performance cars, go hybrid-only.
While you’d expect a crossover version of a vehicle that was once the world’s most popular vehicle to be a top-seller, it hasn’t necessarily taken the sales charts by storm in Australia.
WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD
Last year, a total of 8902 examples were sold, which is more than Toyota’s own C-HR but far less than the larger mid-sized, yet similarly priced RAV4 (58,718 sales).
Even in the context of small SUVs, the Corolla Cross was outsold by the likes of the MG ZS (22,629 sales), Hyundai Kona (17,374 sales), and GWM Haval Jolion (14,238 sales). All of these cars now offer a hybrid powertrain too.
Also proving more popular among Australians last year were the Mazda CX-30 (12,672), Mitsubishi ASX (12,330), Subaru Crosstrek (11,545) and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (9221).
Times have changed since the Corolla Cross launched and there is plenty more competition out there, so is this small SUV worth considering? Read along to find out.
How does the Toyota Corolla Cross compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Toyota Corolla Cross against similarly sized vehicles.
Toyota
Corolla Cross
How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross cost?
This small hybrid SUV isn’t cheap, especially at the top of the range.
At $50,030 before on-roads, top-spec Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD is considerably more expensive than comparable rivals, including the GWM Haval Jolion Ultra Hybrid ($38,990 drive-away), Honda HR-V e:HEV L ($42,900 drive-away), Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium N Line ($46,500 before on-roads), and Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid S ($45,090 before on-roads).
In fact, it firmly creeps in hybrid mid-sized SUV territory, which is a fiercely contended segment. This means versions of the GWM Haval H6 Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Kia Sportage Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester Hybrid are more affordable.
It’s worth mentioning you can get a range of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric (BEV) SUVs now for under $50,000. These include the BYD Sealion 6 and Atto 3, Chery Omoda E5, Leapmotor C10, and MG ZS EV.
Model
Price before on-road costs
Toyota Corolla Cross GX Hybrid 2WD
$36,480
Toyota Corolla Cross GXL Hybrid 2WD
$40,230
Toyota Corolla Cross GXL Hybrid AWD
$43,230
Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid 2WD
$47,030
Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD
$50,030
To see how the Toyota Corolla Cross lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Toyota Corolla Cross like on the inside?
Like pretty much all crossover SUVs, the Corolla Cross is an easy vehicle to get into. You step across into the cabin, rather than stepping up or down. It’s clear to see why so many people, especially those with poor mobility, like these kinds of cars.
Compared to the Corolla hatchback and sedan, the Corolla Cross’ front seats look nowhere near as sporty or bucket-like. Despite the more conservative, flatter design, they’re still comfortable.
The driver’s seat offers plenty of electric adjustment, including thigh support and lumbar support. This means people of many different sizes and statures will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel.
The front seats are also heated, which is handy in the cooler months, but they’re not ventilated. During the scorching Melbourne heat, this meant the leather-accented seats got rather warm.
Ahead of the driver is a leather-wrapped steering wheel that’s reasonably sized and has a thin rim, so it’s nice to hold as a result. All the buttons on the wheel are logically placed – though it did take me a second to find the button to set the cruise control – and have a clicky action when pressed.
Behind this is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that’s becoming common now in newer Toyota models. It looks smart, and the display itself is high-resolution.
You’re able to configure the digital instrument cluster in many different ways. This ranges from different screen layouts, themes, and widgets. My personal favourite was having the typical gauges with the hybrid system and trip computer showing so I could see my fuel economy.
Strangely, no Corolla Cross variant gets a head-up display. It’s a commonplace feature in a number of rivals and it does help you see your current speed without having to glance far from the road ahead.
Moving across, there’s a 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s mounted proudly on the dashboard like a tacked-on iPad. It’s high-resolution and appears to have plenty of processing power, meaning it turns on quickly at startup and new pages load snappily.
There isn’t a whole heap to this infotainment system’s interface, which means it’s a breeze to navigate. Even if you do get lost, there are shortcut buttons on the right-hand side of the touchscreen.
One thing that is a little disappointing about this larger screen, though, is there isn’t a dial for adjusting the volume. Instead, there are up and down push-buttons on either side of the screen power button, which isn’t as user-friendly as passengers need to spam them to change the volume quickly.
As standard there is now both wired and wireless forms of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With my iPhone 15 Pro Max connected wirelessly, I had a relatively good connection during my week of testing, though there were occasionally dropouts in known interference points.
There’s a wireless charger to keep your phone battery topped up while using smartphone mirroring, but the one in this car refused to charge my phone. It doesn’t help that there is no grippy surface or raised bumper to secure your phone on the wireless charging pad.
Looking around the cabin, it’s like a sea of black trim finishes, which makes it feel rather drab and boring. Even the headliner is black, which doesn’t help break up any of the interior colourway.
Thankfully, there’s a panoramic glass sunroof that brightens things up, but it’s a fixed panel, meaning it doesn’t open like some do. I appreciate there’s a block-out blind because it helped keep the cabin cool on stinking hot Melbourne days.
There are some soft-touch surfaces around the cabin, primarily on the armrests and other places where you interact frequently, but beyond this it’s all scratchy, hard plastic, which screams cost-cutting. It’s excusable in the base model, but it hurts in a top-spec small SUV that’s priced over $50k.
There’s also an annoying amount of piano black material around the climate control pod and gear selector. This gets dusty and grimy really quickly, and then scratches easily when wiped clean.
Storage up front is decent but not standout. There are two cupholders that are big enough, a small centre console box, as well as an adequately sized glove box and door pockets.
Moving to the second row, it’s much bigger than the cramped Corolla hatchback and sedan, but it’s still not overly spacious. It’s clear the focus is on the people in the first row, which is the case in many small SUVs.
At a leggy 182cm, I had adequate legroom, but there’s also a good amount of head, shoulder, and toe room. You can go two-up with ease, though pushing it to three would make things too squishy.
In terms of second-row amenities, there are air vents and USB-C ports on the back of the centre console, as well as a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
Unlike some small SUVs, the Corolla Cross doesn’t have door pockets in the rear doors. Instead, there is a singular cupholder on each door panel.
Around the back, there’s a power tailgate, which has a hands-free kick function. This is handy if you have full hands and need to open the tailgate.
When it does open or close, however, it beeps incessantly and loudly, which is a Toyota trait. It occasionally makes people turn their heads because it’s that obnoxious.
Once the tailgate is open, there’s a surprisingly decent boot area. Toyota claims it offers 380 litres with the rear seats upright. It doesn’t quote a figure with the seats folded.
Unfortunately, the floor isn’t flat with the rear seats folded, but this is fairly common in the segment.
Boot-related amenities are slim, including a cargo cover, a light, hooks and tie-down points.
There’s no spare wheel under the boot floor. Instead, there’s a tyre repair kit. This is common for many hybrid SUVs, but it still can be annoying if you get a proper puncture in the middle of nowhere.
Dimensions
Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD
Length
4460mm
Width
1825mm
Height
1620mm
Wheelbase
2640mm
Cargo capacity
380L (5 seats)
To see how the Toyota Corolla Cross lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The Corolla Cross Hybrid is still powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which, in all-wheel drive variants, is augmented by two electric motors – one on each axle.
Specifications
Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD
Engine
2.0L 4cyl petrol
Engine outputs
112kW
Electric motor outputs
83kW/206Nm (front) 30kW (rear)
System outputs
146kW
Battery
4.06Ah li-ion
Transmission
e-CVT
Drive type
AWD
Weight (kerb)
1550kg
Fuel economy (claimed)
4.4L/100km
Fuel economy (as tested)
4.7L/100km (410km)
Fuel tank capacity
43L
Fuel requirement
91-octane regular unleaded
CO2 emissions
101g/km
Emissions standard
Euro 5
Braked tow capacity
750kg
My observed fuel economy figure of 4.7L/100km included a mix of different driving scenarios, from everyday commuting in urban traffic to highway journeys. The best figure I saw was just 3.8L/100km, which I achieved on a trip into the office with minimal traffic.
To see how the Toyota Corolla Cross lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Toyota Corolla Cross drive?
Starting up the Corolla Cross Hybrid, there’s a singular beep that lets you know the car is ready to be driven. A ‘ready’ icon also displays on the digital instrument cluster.
The reason for the start-up beep sound is because the car starts silently without the petrol engine. It typically fires to life quietly a second or two after, however, to warm up the engine fluids.
The petrol engine stays on for a fair while, especially if it’s stone cold, to ensure it’s closer to operating temperature and to charge up the battery a tad. Realistically, this only takes a couple of minutes.
After this, the petrol engine typically switches off and the car cruises around on electric power alone. At low speeds, it can be rather electric-heavy, which makes for near-silent progression, but this depends on how much charge there is in the tiny lithium-ion battery pack.
If you’re light on the throttle and there’s plenty of battery charge, this car can accelerate up to 50km/h on EV power, which always feels like a fun achievement.
I’ve recently hopped out of a range of electric SUVs, however, then most recently the mild-hybrid Peugeot 3008. Off the back of these, the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s electric motors feel weak in comparison. Above 20km/h, or sometimes even from a standstill, the petrol engine usually switches on to aid progression.
Thankfully, though, the electric motors still provide a snappy initial acceleration feel. This is because the full amount of torque is available from standstill.
You can barely feel when the petrol engine first fires up. If you aren’t paying full attention, you likely won’t know it has come to life until it starts revving.
It doesn’t take long for the petrol engine’s sound to get old. Given the Corolla Cross, like all Toyota hybrids, is equipped with an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (e-CVT), it has an annoying drone that just hovers at the same revs. This isn’t uncommon, as this type of transmission typically prioritises efficiency rather than driver engagement.
With everything on tap, the Corolla Cross doesn’t feel overly quick. If you do punch the accelerator a bit harder, or slot the car into the ‘Power’ mode, it just revs the petrol engine more to the point where it sounds like it is screaming for you to stop. It’s clear this car prefers to be driven with docile throttle inputs.
Once you reach cruising speeds around town, the engine usually switches off, depending on the battery charge and outside ambient temperature, among other factors. I found the engine would stay on for longer in hot weather, as the air-conditioning was working hard to cool the cabin down.
EV cruising in the Corolla Cross is very quiet and serene, as there’s only the odd electric motor hum. It’s almost a game to eke out as much electric driving as possible because the petrol engine does notably dull the driving experience.
There is a dedicated ‘EV’ drive mode, but it’ll switch off as soon as you press the accelerator just that bit too hard or when the battery charge is too low.
Both the front and rear electric motors help with initial acceleration, but as soon as you get above 40km/h or so, only the front electric motor drives the car.
The rear electric motor reactivates around some corners for added security, but ultimately it feels like it doesn’t add much traction and instead weighs the car down. Indeed, the claimed 0-100km/h sprint time for the all-wheel drive model, compared to the front-wheel drive model, is slower. It also has higher combined fuel consumption.
Regenerative braking in this vehicle only has one setting, but it strikes a nice balance between being too weak or too strong. Under light deceleration, only the front electric motor regenerates energy, but backing off the accelerator completely lets the rear electric motor help out.
The regenerative braking also negates that annoying CVT speed creep you sometimes get when travelling down a hill.
There is a degree of added regenerative braking built into the brake pedal, and the transition to the physical brakes when coming to a complete stop can be a little jarring. It doesn’t take long for the battery pack to charge up. This is nice because it equals more EV driving.
Around town, this is a fun and dynamic car to drive. It doesn’t feel quite as dialled-in as the Corolla hatch or sedan due to the inherent higher centre of gravity. As a result, it also has a bit of body roll when pushed in corners.
Compared to front-wheel drive Corolla Cross variants, the all-wheel drives have a more sophisticated trailing-arm rear suspension setup. From the seat of the pants, the ride isn’t noticeably different, however, as all Corolla Cross vehicles iron out urban road imperfections, and even larger speed bumps, with ease.
A big highlight of this car is its light but direct steering feel. I’m thankful this trait has carried over from the Corolla hatch and sedan because it makes navigating tight urban parking scenarios fun and easy.
Speaking of parking, there are front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera that has good quality.
In this top-spec Atmos trim, there’s also a semi-autonomous parking system that works fantastically. Unlike systems from other carmakers, this one can see parking lines and is able to slot the car in within these.
Beyond 60km/h the Corolla Cross’ hybrid powertrain starts to feel out of its depth. It relies much more on the petrol engine, which in turn makes the droning noise a lot more prevalent in the cabin.
At certain points when travelling at highway and even freeway speeds, the car can flick into EV mode, but this is typically only on completely flat ground or when coasting downhill. Any push of the throttle, or even a whiff of an incline, causes the engine to fire back up.
The Corolla Cross, like many Toyotas, is a comfortable highway tourer that feels rock solid from behind the wheel. At higher speeds there is a lot of road noise, especially on coarse-chip road surfaces, that emanates into the cabin, which further reveals the budget roots of this car.
The ride still feels good at higher speeds, though hard singular bumps can feel a little firm and transmit into the cabin. This is likely due to the larger 18-inch alloy wheels, which have lower-profile tyres.
On the safety front, the Corolla Cross is fully loaded. The adaptive cruise control is good at managing a consistent distance between the car ahead, though even in the closest distance setting it leaves a generous gap. This means other cars sometimes cut in front of you, which then makes the car brake.
The lane-keep assist doesn’t intrude whatsoever, which is exactly how it should be. The only time it goes off is when you actually cross over the lane markings.
In conjunction with the adaptive cruise control, there’s a lane-centring function that takes a more direct control of steering efforts. It’s not overly intrusive like some, making it a fantastic aid for longer highway and freeway journeys where it can reduce driver fatigue.
Lastly, the Corolla Cross Atmos comes with bright LED headlights. These are great for when you’re travelling in rural areas where wildlife can jump out around any bend.
To see how the Toyota Corolla Cross lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
On test here is the top-spec Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD.
2025 Toyota Corolla Cross GX standard equipment highlights:
LED headlights
Halogen daytime running lights
17-inch alloy wheels
Space-saver spare wheel
Power folding, heated side mirrors
Embossed fabric seats
Manual front seat adjustment
Rear seats with tilt function
Urethane steering wheel
Electric park brake
2 x front, 2 x rear cupholders
Retractable luggage cover
60:40-split rear seats
Automatic climate control
7.0-inch driver’s instrument display
Proximity entry with push-button start
12V power socket, front
USB-C port in centre console
Power windows
Door pockets with bottle holders
8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
6-speaker sound system
AM/FM/DAB+ radio
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Toyota Connected Services (12-month subscription)
Corolla Cross GXL adds:
Tyre repair kit (Hybrid AWD)
Front fog lights
High-grade LED headlights
Sequential turn signals
Rear privacy glass
Roof rails
10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Satellite navigation
Dual-zone climate control
USB-C rear charge ports
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Leather-accented shift knob
Leather-accented steering wheel
Leather-accented/fabric upholstery
Corolla Cross Atmos adds:
18-inch alloy wheels
Panoramic glass sunroof
Hands-free power tailgate
Rain-sensing wipers
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Wireless phone charger
Illuminated entry system
Rear cupholders
Rear armrest
Heated steering wheel
Leather-accented upholstery
8-way power driver’s seat
Advanced Park Assist
To see how the Toyota Corolla Cross lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Toyota Corolla Cross safe?
The Toyota Corolla Cross range was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating against 2022 criteria.
Category
Toyota Corolla Cross
Adult occupant protection
85 per cent
Child occupant protection
88 per cent
Vulnerable road user protection
87 per cent
Safety assist
83 per cent
Standard safety features include:
Toyota Safety Sense
AEB with Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
Adaptive cruise control incl. curve speed reduction
Auto high-beam
Lane departure warning
Lane keep assist
Lane Trace Assist (centring)
Lane change assist
Speed sign assist
Blind-spot monitoring incl. safe exit assist
Rear cross-traffic alert
Reversing camera
8 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
GXL adds:
Parking support brake incl. vehicle, object detection
‘Simple’ panoramic view monitor (360 cameras)
Atmos Hybrid adds:
Enhanced panoramic view monitor (360 cameras with see-through view)
Advanced Park Assist
Parking support brake incl. pedestrian detection
To see how the Toyota Corolla Cross lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross cost to run?
There’s a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and if you service your car on time as per the logbook, that extends to seven years for the powertrain.
Further to that, if you maintain your car with Toyota annually, and have a hybrid system checkup done on schedule, the high-voltage battery warranty is 10 years or unlimited kilometres.
Servicing and Warranty
Toyota Corolla Cross
Warranty
5 years, unlimited kilometres 7 years, unlimited kilometres (extended drivetrain)
Roadside assistance
$99 per year
Service intervals
12 months or 15,000km
Capped-price servicing
5 years
Total capped-price service cost
$1250
Average capped-price service cost
$250
To see how the Toyota Corolla Cross lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Toyota Corolla Cross
While there’s plenty more competition popping up, the Corolla Cross is still likely to be all the car that many people will need, especially singles, couples and empty-nesters.
Compared to some other small SUVs, though, it doesn’t scream ‘pick me’. It’s conservative, if a little dull, both inside and out, and for many non-car people this may be a pro and not a con.
The hybrid drivetrain in this car is clearly the centrepiece. It’s fun cruising around on EV power, eking out as much as you can before the petrol engine fires up. This also results in a fantastic real-world fuel consumption figure.
While this drivetrain is efficient, it doesn’t produce a great note when pushed. Plus, there’s a surprising amount of road noise that enters the cabin at higher speeds on coarse-chip roads.
Yet the Corolla Cross is nimble and fun to drive, and these are characteristics of all the models based on the Toyota TNGA-C platform to date.
I’d personally steer clear of the all-wheel drive Corolla Cross variants unless you want the extra security that all-wheel drive can provide in all weather conditions.
The front-wheel drive version isn’t weighed down by the weak rear electric motor, so it offers better performance and fuel economy while also being $3000 cheaper. Additionally it gets a space-saver spare wheel, which is considerably more helpful than a tyre repair kit if you have a bad puncture.
Sure, Toyota is known for its vast dealer network and competitively priced servicing, but this top-spec Atmos Hybrid AWD variant, as tested, costs well over $50,000 drive-away, which is jaw-dropping.
You can spend a similar amount to buy a substantially larger RAV4 and still retain similar hybrid efficiency. The sales charts prove a lot of Australians are doing just this.
However, if you’re budget-minded and want a small SUV, check out some of the competition because Toyota is now far from the only carmaker to offer hybrid technology in the small SUV segment.
Interested in buying a Toyota Corolla Cross? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Kelly He Sun, who spent six years at BCG, shares in a podcast with Gary Guo that she frequently clocked 55 to 70 hours a week.
The gruelling shift was due to a due diligence case, where consultants are expected to accomplish significant progress in a short period, says the a former employee of Boston Consulting Group in a podcast.
A former employee of Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has reaffirmed a well-known truth about the consulting industry—long hours are the norm. Kelly He Sun, who spent six years at BCG, one of the world’s most competitive consulting firms with an acceptance rate lower than Harvard and MIT, shared in a podcast with Gary Guo that she frequently clocked 55 to 70 hours a week.
At her busiest, Kelly once worked a staggering 20-hour shift without a break. Her revelations have reignited discussions about what constitutes a reasonable workload.
Inside BCG’s Long Hours
Based in New York, Kelly worked at BCG until 2024 and described a typical day running from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays were particularly demanding, but even on Thursdays, she worked late into the evening.
She explained that while junior consultants might start at 8:30 or 9 a.m., managers often began earlier, sometimes as early as 7:30 a.m. They would work in the office until 6 or 7 p.m., take a short break for exercise and dinner, and then log back in to continue working from 9 p.m. to midnight.
A 20-Hour Workday
When asked about the longest stretch she worked without a break, Kelly recalled: “6 a.m. to 2 a.m.” The gruelling shift was due to a “due diligence case”, where consultants are expected to accomplish significant progress in a short period.
“I was on a due diligence case. Anyone who has ever worked in management consulting would understand you have to get a lot done in such a short amount of time. Every single day you’re supposed to make miles of progress,” she said.
Despite the exhausting 20-hour shift, Kelly had no time to recover. She had to work the next day—and the entire week—pushing herself purely on adrenaline. By Friday, she admitted she was “depleted.”
The Viral Reaction
A clip of her interview has gained traction on Instagram, prompting many professionals to share similar experiences.
“Worked at Deloitte Consulting for 4 years. I would regularly work from 8 a.m. to midnight. Looking back, it’s not a flex, it’s awful,” one Instagram user commented.
Another person added, “Life is too short to endure such bad work/life balance. Find another place to work. And believe me, the alternative is much better.”
In India, the issue of long working hours has been widely debated in recent years, with industry leaders coming under scrutiny for advocating 70-hour workweeks. Kelly’s account adds to the growing conversation about the sustainability of such intense work cultures.
News business Ex-BCG Consultant Shares Her 70-Hour Work Week Experience: ‘Life Is Too Short To Endure Bad Work-Life Balance’
In case, you are looking for a cool and interesting way to earn a quick buck, Here’s a platform that pays you for filling out simple surveys. Toluna Group lets you take surveys for forming a database for market research.
Toluna is a worldwide survey technology provider and claims to be the “ World’s Largest social voting community” which has more than nine million survey takers.
In this review, you will get a detailed insight into Toluna, Let’s look into this review article now:
Overview
Name
Toluna
Owner
Frederic-Charles Petit
Founded Year
2000
Headquarters
Paris, France
Type
Online Surveys
Apps
iPhone & Android Devices
Support
Email, Phone
Website
www.toluna.com
What is Toluna?
Toluna is a community survey platform that offers online surveys in return for rewards. This is a Paris( France) based company, managed by the Toluna Group and a well known market research company preferred by brands around the world. With more than 9 million survey takers, for the people who want to make money by taking surveys, Toluna is a preferred option.
The users that register on Toluna and take up these surveys are known as “Toluna Influencers”. These surveys completed are used by the major brands to help them figure out their business plan. It is one of the world’s most popular survey sites which has a very strong subscriber base and an effective portfolio of clients.
With 16+ offices globally, Toluna team aims to provide better products and quality to the consumers. They do it by surveying for the brands and thus it helps in dealing with customer satisfaction and to improve their business plan.
How to Register on Toluna?
Toluna provides its membership to 49 countries. The number of surveys that are available depends on your location.
Step 1: You can fill up the registration form online and sign up for Toluna.
Step 2: After the Toluna login, you will be asked to verify your account by providing your personal details. Further, you are good to take the online surveys.
Toluna Influencers are paid in the form of points which can be redeemed further in the form of gift cards, vouchers, etc. There are two types of Toluna surveys available listed below:
Profile Surveys: These surveys take a short period of time to complete where you are rewarded with 100 points.
Longer Surveys: These surveys take a longer duration to complete typically about 10 to 30 minutes with much higher rewards
You can update your personal information by logging into your account. Select “Account” in the top right corner and then click the Edit option. You can also view your account activity such as credits purchased, surveys launched, and the current status of your subscription.
In cases where you forget your password, you can do it by Clicking the Sign in button at the top right side. Then click the “forgot your password” option and follow the instructions further which you will be able to retrieve your password.
How to make money in Toluna?
There are 8 ways to earn in Toluna which are as follows:
Toluna Surveys: They are the most effective way of earningToluna points. There are multiple surveys available online to complete at any point of time. Usually the majority of the surveys pay 1000-2000 points which lasts for about 20 minutes. 5500 Toluna points are roughly equivalent to 1 pound.
Completing Profile Surveys: You will find the “Profile Surveys” under the surveys option at the top of the screen. Each profile consists of 14 Surveys each and you will get 100points for each survey.
Participate in Polls: In this you will usually earn a points reward of 15 points per poll, usually takes seconds to complete
Post in the Toluna community: You can also earn points by posting your content in the Toluna Community. You may win up to 1000 points per post if your post gets qualified.
Participate in the Contest: Toluna offers launch contests to encourage the users to post more in the community. Inreturn they are rewarded with some points and other prizes.
Start your own contest: you will also be rewarded with points and prizes if you start your own contest.
Refer a friend to Toluna: you can share your referral link with your friends and you will get 500 bonus points for each friend upto 10 months
Play Toluna Games:You can also win points by playing games. You can win about 80-1000 points by spinning the wheel.
How to redeem points in Toluna?
There are 3 ways to redeem the points in Toluna which are listed below:
Rewards:It offers a variety of gift cards with an option to cashout by Paypal. The cheapest gift card costs around 30,000 points
Gifties: These are the tickets you can buy to win a range of rewards
Sweepstakes: You can also exchange your points to get a chance to join the monthly sweepstakes where you can buy branded items
You need to reach of minimum of 30,000 points which are listed below:
$10 gift card for Starbucks- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Cheesecake factory- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Redbox- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for JiffyLube- 30,000 points
$25 gift card for Restaurants.com-45,000 points
$25 gift card for Walmart- 45,000 points
$25 gift card for Fandango- 45,000 points
Toluna is it Legit or Scam?
As per the Toluna reviews, it has been found that Toluna is a legitimate business. Despite its long wait times, it has a noted record of paying its clients and further issuing them good rewards.
It is a company that offers to pay on each survey you take. It has been very popular and has become one of the people’s number one choices regarding online surveys. They also have a base of around 13 million users and is on a rapid expansion
Toluna also has an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau(BBB) with only around 31 customer complaints. Further, it has a 3.8 rating on the Trustpilot with more than 2,100 Toluna reviews.
There are a lot more positive reviews compared to the criticism. It has great customer service for which it accounts as one of the legit organizations that pay people in response to the online surveys.
Conclusion
It is to be acknowledged that Toluna is a legitimate business which pays its users based on the surveys they take.It is one of the top rated companies with a trusted community of 1+ million members which make it highly recommended.
It is an honest way to make full time income on the internet by taking surveys. It has no hidden costs and in turn you will learn how to build a flourishing business online in Toluna. It also allows you to choose surveys in categories which you are interested in.
Thus finally it is advisable that Toluna is worth giving a try. You can take it as a fun experience and further you will enjoy it a lot. If you are looking to earn income by taking up online surveys, then Toluna is definitely on the top lists which are trusted.
FAQ
How much does it cost to join Toluna?
No, Signing up for Toluna is completely free. Sign up today and access its features free of cost
Does Toluna pay in cash?
Toluna Influencers are compensated in points, which can be exchanged for a variety of items such as gift cards, competition entries, or plain old cash.
How long do the surveys take to complete?
It is dependent on the targeting and the screening questions. The more of these questions you have, the longer your survey may take to complete.
How do I cash out my Toluna points?
You need to have at least 60000 points. Go to rewards, convert your points into cash through, 60000points=$20.
Is Toluna Survey Legit?
Toluna is a safe and reliable platform. It is not a scam, and millions of people from all over the world have taken their surveys for over ten years. However, your experience with the site may vary from that of other survey takers.
Toluna Ratings
User Review
1.12 (354 votes)
Pros
It is a very reputed company which is operating.
It is completely free to join and features are free to use
Modern and user-friendly interface
You can earn money by answering the surveys on the go while on the phone
Interesting Surveys
Get a consolation prize even if any disqualified
Cons
The disqualifications can be frustrating
There is a minimum cashout of $30 which is hard to reach
Some of its surveys take time to complete
Some users complain about the long wait times for payments or rewards
If you work in content marketing, you’ve experienced the “battle of the brains.”
Your creative brain gets excited to develop your next innovative, engaging, and impactful content effort. But your logical brain points to the blank screen and kills the buzz, saying: “OK, hotshot. Where do we start?”
When at a loss for actionable inspiration, exploring highly successful campaigns from other brands can push your brain in new directions. The valuable insight into what’s resonating with audiences like yours can fuel your creative and strategic minds.
To assist that journey of discovery, we’ve assembled an e-book: 20 Examples of Brands Leading Through Content (registration required). It features leading B2B, B2C, and nonprofit/government organizations that exceeded their audience expectations and achieved their marketing goals through novel content approaches and creative executions.
Here’s a peek at six of my favorite initiatives.
Lesson 1: Develop a strategy that showcases your unique strengths
Developing (and documenting) your content marketing strategy can do more than focus your team on content types and channels. It can guide the organization’s direction as you adapt to new marketplace opportunities, shifts in consumer behaviors, and emerging audience interests.
In their efforts to provide trustworthy, easily accessible information, regional tourism websites risk coming off as cookie-cutter content. To stand apart, marketers in this business sector must balance practical utility with uniquely desirable experiences in their strategy.
According to Travel Oregon’s director of global integrated marketing and publishing Mo Sherifdeen, the organization found its sweet spot by building content success on driving equitable economic impact across the state and welcoming all.
Its strategy emphasizes lesser-known tourist destinations and activities. It also prioritizes attracting diverse audiences by showcasing the region’s rich history — including stories about its first inhabitants.
This welcoming and inclusive approach is working. According to Travel Oregon’s Content Marketing Award submission, its website attracts 9 million page views and 4 million sessions a year. Its social content reached users’ feeds 41 million times in a year.
Yet, what nailed Travel Oregon’s 2024 win for Best Content Strategy is that its approach delivers significant bottom-line results: A 12-month analysis showed a $48.9 million economic impact from the 25,255 incremental trips made by out-of-state website visitors who hadn’t committed to traveling to Oregon until after they visited the site and a $6.2 million economic impact from 16,190 new visitor days — the time out-of-state website visitors extended their stay in Oregon.
Learn more: How Travel Oregon’s Content Strategy Drove $50+ Million in Economic Impact
Lesson 2: Enhance content resonance with customized relevance
Audiences gravitate toward brands they relate to — whether a shared business goal, a passion for a hobby or activity, or an affinity for a value or belief. The more the audience sees themselves in the content, the more likely they’ll engage and act on it.
Tailoring content to your customers’ needs can plant the seeds of deeper, more resonant connections — even when marketing a highly commoditized B2B product or service. Exhibit an understanding of a relevant concern, then show how your business considers it a priority. Ultimately, let consumers know you see them as people to increase their trust in your brand and satisfaction with their purchases.
Salesforce enjoyed tremendous success with its Trailblazer online community, which was built to enhance the value customers receive from its products. Yet, sales professionals — the primary users of the company’s Sales Cloud product — found that the community lacked the career-centric guidance they sought.
The company answered the call with Salesblazer — a centralized content hub for sales professionals. Like Trailblazer, it’s filled with free resources and opportunities to receive advice from industry experts. It also features educational demos, webinars, downloadable templates, worksheets, and reports.
What distinguishes Salesblazer isn’t just its niche audience target. It customizes the pathway to the visitor’s functional role in sales (e.g., representatives, operations, or leadership). All content helps these professionals grow more successful careers.
In its first year, Salesblazer hit over 5 million unique page views, fueled by ranking for thousands of keywords on search. However, the Trailblazer community format didn’t fully click with the audience, so the community was rebuilt as a Slack channel, helping Salesblazer grow at two times the pace of the original forum.
Learn more: How Salesforce Blazed Award-Winning Content Trail for Sales Pros
Lesson 3: Soothe pain points with a well-timed brand experience
What’s more powerful than understanding consumers’ future-focused challenges? Content solutions that meet them where they are right now.
Delivering educational insights and tactical advice is a staple of content marketing. But when you present that information so it’s easy to engage with and activate at the moment of need, your content becomes a living testimonial to your brand’s overarching value.
Case in point: Siemens Healthineers – Magnetic Stories(Click translate on site for English)
An MRI exam is essential when diagnosing serious pediatric health concerns like cancer. But try explaining that to a young child as they endure the noise and discomfort in the machine.
To help pediatric patients (and their caregivers) feel more at ease, MRI manufacturer Siemens Healthineers developed an imaginative solution: Magnetic Stories — a series of audiobooks children can listen to on their headphones during their scans.
According to AdAge, the campaign created cheerful narratives incorporating sound sequences from common pediatric MRI scans performed on Siemens Healthineers equipment. In one story (shown above), viewers see a young child wearing headphones as she undergoes a cranial bone scan. As she listens to the Magnetic Stories audiobook, the chugging clamor of the scan is whimsically reimagined as a “magical [flying] train called imagination leaving a trail known as inspiration,” putting her at ease.
By creating a more comfortable and satisfying patient experience, the brand extends the value its health care service providers receive from their equipment purchases. Siemens also achieved another benefit from this campaign: Magnetic Stories won the Pharma Grand Prix at the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Learn more: Did Cannes Lions Awards Just Say Content Beats Advertising?
Lesson 4: Let influencers bring your brand into their world
Influencers are a hot commodity in the marketing world, with some personalities building lucrative careers by inserting partnering brands into their social conversations. Yet, a common critique remains: “How do we trust that the person behind the handle is truly familiar with the product they’re pitching?”
Asking influencers to co-create content with your brand is a great way to overcome those authenticity accusations. It also can help your content to stand out from other brands mentioned by influencer spokespeople and provide the flexibility to repurpose their assets for different purposes and platforms.
@mattymatheson I’M HERE AT YUMMY K’S WITH @KNORRCA AT 179 CRAWFORD STREET IN TORONTO AND WE’RE SERVING UP MY TASTE COMBOS! COME GET SOME BBQ CHOPPED CHICKEN SANDWICHES OR CHILLED CHILI SOBA THIS WEEKEND ONLY LET’S GO! #KNORRVSCOMBO#AD♬ original sound – MATTY MATHESON
Unilever’s Knorr is known for its flavoring packets used in tasty dips, sauces, and soups. However, as delivery services and meal prep kits began to dominate young consumers’ dinner tables, the brand struggled to have a place in their kitchen pantries.
Recognizing that 81% of Gen Z consumers say they made recipes they discovered on social media, Knorr seized an opportunity to blend some influential star power into its marketing mix.
First, the brand transformed a home in Canada into Yummy K’s — a first-of-its-kind takeout joint and delivery service. Then, it partnered with celebrity chef (and actor from Hulu’s The Bear) Matty Matheson to design a menu of simple, delicious dishes inspired by popular TikTok recipes. Knorr packaged each customer’s order in a branded box with its ingredient packet to encourage them to recreate the recipe.
Knorr also cooked up a tasty platter of promotional content to drive consumers to the pop-up, including outdoor ads and TikTok-style recipe videos. In the example above, Matty plays into his frenetic energy as a fast-talking food aficionado as he tours Yummy K’s pop-up location and describes the menu. As he receives his order, he opens the Knorr-branded packaging and excitedly digs into the barbecued chopped chicken sandwich and soba noodles combo.
With the help of Matty, Knorr put its creative spin on the latest mealtime trends. The effort earned the brand a seat at the popular kids’ table while strengthening awareness of its value as a home cooking staple.
Lesson 5: Activate the values you share with your customers
Cause marketing remains popular, as consumers (particularly younger generations) go out of the way to support brands that put their money where their mouths are. In fact, according to January 2024 Ipsos research, almost seven in 10 U.S. adults say they tend to buy from brands that reflect their personal values.
To compel your audience to use their wallets to vote in your favor, don’t just talk about the good your brand does, activate your intentions and empower your audience to benefit.
Most people consider travel a rewarding experience. However, not everyone has equitable access to its benefits, and some aspiring travelers — including people who live with autism — face challenges venturing out of their usual routines.
To minimize their travel-related discomfort and doubt, Visit Myrtle Beach produced Traveling the Spectrum. It’s an eye-opening six-part video series highlighting the region’s autism-friendly offerings, as seen through the eyes of three families visiting the first autism-friendly certified destination in the United States.
Like other travel-related video series, viewers preview the area’s beautiful beaches, amusements, and recreational activities. They also see the realities of vacationing with a family member on the autism spectrum, which includes the potential for meltdowns, extra planning, and memories of frustrations that often deterred them from traveling.
Yet, as the trailer above shows, the audience also witnesses the feelings of gratitude, connection, and joy these families experience because Myrtle Beach welcomes and accommodates their unique needs.
To reinforce Myrtle Beach’s reputation as a relaxing and inclusive tourism destination, the marketing team also created an autism-friendly travel guide filled with resources like sensory-friendly events and information on accessible accommodations.
By helping travelers with special needs plan their trips more confidently, Visit Myrtle Beach activates its inclusive mission: to prove that ‘The Beach’ is a place where everybody can belong.
Learn more: Groundbreaking Autism Travel Series Rockets Myrtle Beach Tourism
Lesson 6: Highlight the people behind your products
Behind-the-scenes videos are a great way to make your company more human-relatable. Highlight day-to-day operations, your offices, your manufacturing processes, or intriguing aspects of the business that audiences usually don’t see.
Profile employees, talk to your vendors, or film conversations with your best customers to lend more credibility to your video stories. They give consumers a clearer idea of how your company works, what’s unique about it, and who helps make it successful. If your videos are entertaining and informative, viewers are even more likely to share your brand story with others.
High demand for skilled technician labor makes industrial manufacturing an attractive field in which to start a career. However, employment trends make it difficult for companies like Grainger to find qualified candidates to fill the roles.
To help close this gap, Grainger developed Everyday Heroes, a series of videos to motivate more people to pursue trade careers.
The subject matter might be highly technical, but Everyday Heroes approaches it in a human-centric way. In each episode, a Grainger technician shares a personal story about their passion for the job and describes what makes the trade an exciting and fulfilling career option.
For example, in the video (above), wind turbine technician Jenna Stokes details the technical aspects of her craft, such as the repairs her team handles and the skill and knowledge required. She walks viewers through a typical workday, which includes a debrief on the team’s plan for the day and the potential hazards, such as climbing towers up to 328 feet.
That’s a personal challenge for Jenna, who fears heights. So, how — and why — does she do it? Jenna says she relies on her safety equipment and draws strength from her team of skilled technicians. She notes that the energy she feels when she accomplishes the work keeps her going.
Insights + inspiration = exemplary performance
Want more creative ideas and helpful tips to inspire your content program? Download 20 Examples of Brands Leading Through Content. Get a glimpse of successful efforts from companies like Marriott Bonvoy, Intuit, Honda, The Gates Foundation, and others. Not only has this work earned the attention of their audiences, but many have earned the admiration of their fellow marketers — and have the Content Marketing Awards to prove it.
Want more content marketing tips, insights, and examples? Subscribe to workday or weekly emails from CMI.
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Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute
Watch NASA Astronauts Return Home After an Extended Stay Aboard the ISS
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore return after a failed Boeing capsule left them stranded on the International Space Station. See all the stages of their return, with a pod of dolphins welcoming them after splashdown.
While various factors contribute to health, fitness remains exceptionally important, according to fitness expert Jillian Michaels, a supporter of the Make America Healthy Again movement.
“Fitness is the No. 1 form of preventative medicine,” the Miami-based host of “Keeping It Real Podcast” told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview. (See the video at the top of this article.)
Michaels said she supports efforts to improve nutrition, highlighting HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to reform FDA regulations on food additives. She stressed that exercise, however, is ultimately up to the individual.
FEDERAL DIETARY GUIDELINES WILL SOON CHANGE FOR AMERICANS, HHS AND USDA ANNOUNCE
“This is not new news, and this is really where we have to encourage people to take agency … when it comes to exercise, this is really where we need to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and start moving, even if it’s just having a daily step goal,” Michaels said.
“Fitness is the No. 1 form of preventative medicine,” Jillian Michaels (pictured) told Fox News Digital.(Don Flood)
More than 100 million adults are living with obesity and more than 22 million have severe obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Between August 2021 and August 2023, 40.3% of US adults above the age of 20 were considered obese.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
As a former celebrity trainer, Michaels advises people to do more than the “bare minimum” — and walking can be the best way to start getting in shape.
“One hundred and fifty minutes of walking a week has been shown to extend your lifespan by up to seven years. Something simple like that goes such a long way,” she said.
Michaels (pictured) said people should not focus on doing the bare minimum, but instead should start with a simple workout like walking to get into shape.(Donald Kravitz/Getty Images)
“I worry about false messages of lethargy. In other words, ‘just do the bare minimum’ – I don’t love that messaging because it implies that’s all somebody can do. That’s simply not true,” she went on.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“Don’t be intimidated, don’t be overwhelmed. I know you’re worried about cost. I know you’re worried about time. I know you’re worried that you’re not fit enough to do some of these things that you’re hearing from people like myself.”
Starting with a simple goal of 5,000 steps a day and using a walking pad is a great way to begin, according to the expert.
Starting with a goal of 5,000 steps a day is an easy way to get started, Michaels advised during an on-camera interview with Fox News Digital.(Fox News Digital)
“[Walking pads] are a couple of hundred bucks,” she said. “Put them under a stand-up desk or right by a kitchen counter, and you can shuffle around working, and you will hit those 5,000 steps no problem, every single day.”
Michaels said her morning routine looks a bit different each day, but she tries to stay consistent with a few things.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I do give it a few hours before actually eating something. I try to hydrate, and then I see what my day looks like, and I fit in exercise wherever, quite honestly, that I can.”
The festival of Navratri is a sacred celebration observed with great enthusiasm in India. Navratri, which means ‘nine nights’ in Hindi, is one of the most important Hindu festivals. Although Navratri occurs four times a year, Chaitra Navratri and Sharadiya Navratri are celebrated with grandeur. Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, with each day devoted to a different manifestation of the Goddess. During this period, devotees of Goddess Durga observe a nine-day fast and follow a sattvik diet.
This year, Chaitra Navratri will begin on 30th March 2025 and end on 6th April 2025. The ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is known as Ram Navami, marking the birthday of Lord Rama. Hence, Chaitra Navratri’s Navami is also referred to as Ram Navratri.
Also Read: 3 Common Navratri Foods That Might Not Be As Healthy As You Think
Pratipada Tithi Begins: 4:27 PM on 29th March 2025
Pratipada Tithi Ends: 12:49 PM on 30th March 2025
Significance of Chaitra Navratri 2025
As mentioned, the nine days of Navratri are dedicated to the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga. Many devotees observe fasts during this period, believing that worshipping with complete faith brings the special blessings of the Goddess.
Also Read: These 10-Minute Vegan Sweets Are Perfect For Your Navratri Fasting Menu
While some people fast for the entire nine days, others choose to fast only on the first and last day. During Navratri, a sattvik diet is followed, meaning the consumption of onion, garlic, eggs, meat, and alcohol is strictly prohibited. Many devotees also observe a fruit fast, avoiding grains, legumes, and other restricted foods.
If you plan to fast this Navratri, here are five special dishes you can easily prepare at home.
Chaitra Navratri 2025: 5 Recipes You Can Make While Fasting
Makhana Kheer
Makhana kheer is a perfect dessert for Navratri. Popped lotus seeds are cooked with milk, sugar, and dry fruits to create a delicious, creamy dish. Click here for the recipe.
Kuttu Puri
Kuttu puri is a classic dish made using buckwheat flour mixed with mashed potatoes to form a dough. The dough is rolled out and deep-fried to make crispy puris. Click here for the recipe.
Rasewale Aloo
This flavourful potato curry is specially prepared during the fasting season. Boiled potatoes are cooked with cumin and mild spices for a comforting dish. Click here for the recipe.
Sabudana Tikki
Sabudana tikki is a popular Navratri snack. Made from soaked tapioca pearls and mashed potatoes, it pairs well with chutney or a steaming cup of tea. Click here for the recipe.
Paneer Roll
Grated paneer is mixed with mashed potatoes and flavoured with sendha namak (rock salt) to create a delicious fasting-friendly dish. This quick recipe can be served as a snack or a main course with aloo ki sabzi. Click here for the recipe.
Try these delicious Navratri-special recipes this year and enjoy the festival!
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-18/China-unveils-new-measures-to-bolster-fair-market-competition-1BQpNDSRgK4/img/01088543dd60400993bf34672fcd4d8a/01088543dd60400993bf34672fcd4d8a.jpeg' alt='The State Administration for Market Regulation holds a press briefing in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2025. /CMG'
China has introduced a set of measures to enhance the implementation of its fair competition review regulations in an effort to ensure a level playing field for all market players and build a unified national market free from regional protectionist practices.
Due to take effect on April 20, the 48-article measures detail the overall review requirements, departmental responsibilities, review standards, mechanisms and procedures, and supervisory measures, the State Administration for Market Regulation said on Tuesday.
The regulations on fair competition review were enacted last year to prevent the authorities from rolling out measures that exclude or restrict market competition.
When formulating laws, rules, and policies related to business activities, the authorities will be required to review aspects, including market entry or exit, the free flow of goods, and business operation costs and practices, according to the regulations.
The administration also announced plans on Tuesday to launch initiatives aimed at enhancing its fair competition review capabilities, seeking to eliminate practices that undermine a unified national market and fair competition.
Where will Tamil Nadu’s ambitious 2,000-acre ‘Global City’ project near Chennai come up? This is the million-dollar question raised by common man and real estate developers after State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced it in the State Budget 2025-26 last week.
Tamil Nadu government, in a move to decongest Chennai, wants to create a new city in the lines of Navi Mumbai or Whitefield. But the challenge will be to find such a large, contiguous land parcel. The government will have to acquire lots of land for the project, sources said.
Interestingly, the Karnataka government is also considering a new city north of Bengaluru and Hyderabad is getting a Future city to its south to decongest the metros.
Industry sources said the potential regions could be beyond Mamallapuram on the East Coast Road, and in Chengalpattu and Sriperumbudur. The potential areas could be Irungattukottai, Pullalur, Soorai, Thodukadu, Melpadi and Sogandi.
Government sources said it was too early to comment on the exact location site and that officials were working on identifying where large land parcels are available in various regions.
The new city will feature IT parks, fintech trade zones, research and development centres, high-tech companies, banking and insurance firms, shopping complexes, trade centres, and conference halls, along with educational and healthcare facilities provided by both public and private sector institutions.
Also read: Andhra Pradesh government plans to set up Deeptech varsity
The Global City will include multi-storeyed residential buildings catering to upper-income, middle-class, and lower-income groups, as well as extensive road networks, IT and green energy systems, co-working spaces, and recreational infrastructure such as urban squares and parks. To ensure seamless connectivity with Chennai, proper road networks, express bus services, and metro rail extensions will be developed.
The works for the first phase of the ‘Global City’ project, offering world-class facilities, will be commenced by TIDCO soon, the Budget announcement said.
Global City near Chennai aligns well with the state’s growth trajectory in IT, fintech, and high-tech industries. If executed well, it could transform the region into a global business hub, attracting top companies and investors. However, the key challenges lie in land acquisition, infrastructure development, and long-term economic viability, said Ranjeeth Rathod, Managing Director, Super Chennai, a company set up by Credai recently to reposition Chennai Brand as a global and loveable city to work, live and play.
Opportunities
If placed along key corridors (like Chennai-Bengaluru Highway or OMR), it could complement existing tech hubs and enhance connectivity. With the right incentives, it could attract MNCs, start-ups, and R&D centres. It could set a new standard for smart cities, integrating sustainability, transit-oriented development, and green energy, he said.
Challenges
Finding 2000 contiguous acres near Chennai is tough. Most large tracts are either privately held or fragmented. Large-scale developments need water, power, and transport infrastructure. The state must ensure these are in place before businesses move in.
Past projects like Mahindra World City have been successful but took time to mature. Ensuring steady demand will be crucial, he said.
Chennai-Bangalore Highway (near Sriperumbudur or Kancheepuram) – proximity to industrial hubs and Chennai airport makes sense. East Coast Road (ECR) Corridor – Connectivity is good, but land availability and coastal regulations could be constraints. South Chennai (Chengalpattu – Oragadam region), which is already seeing large industrial growth, could be a strong candidate.
It’s a bold vision, but execution will determine success. If TN can replicate the success of Bangalore’s Whitefield or Hyderabad’s Financial District, this could be a game-changer. However, ensuring phased development, real demand, and world-class infrastructure will be key. It’s a great idea on paper, but the devil is in the details, said Rathod.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
KADA je riječ o uređenju doma – a zapravo i o mnogim drugim stvarima, no zadržimo se na interijerima – nije nužno da svaki predmet služi izvornoj namjeni.
Društvene mreže preplavljene su idejama kako predmete koristiti na potpuno drugačiji način od onoga za što su prvotno zamišljeni. Tako su mape za časopise postale stalci za daske za rezanje, zidni nosači za ručnike pretvoreni su u držače za poklopce lonaca, a vaze često završavaju kao spremnici za kuhinjski pribor.
Zdjelu iz Jyska mnogi koriste drugačije od njene prave namjene
Najnoviji primjer toga je zdjela iz Jyska, koja se pojavljuje u brojnim TikTok videima kao dekorativni detalj u interijerima. No zapravo nije riječ o klasičnoj dekorativnoj zdjeli, već o pojilištu za ptice. S valovitim dizajnom i otpornošću na smrzavanje, prvotno je zamišljena za vrtove i terase, gdje pticama osigurava izvor vode i pritom izgleda elegantno.
Ipak, umjesto na otvorenom, mnogi su joj pronašli novu svrhu – koristi se kao dekorativna zdjela na komodama, blagovaonskim stolovima ili stolićima za kavu u dnevnim boravcima. TikTok je preplavljen videima u kojima upravo ovaj komad zauzima središnje mjesto u interijerima, a komentari su puni oduševljenja.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
“Tako je elegantna”
“Košta li puno? Prekrasna je”, “Tako je elegantna”, “Divna je”, “Vau”, “Jako lijepo”, “Kupila sam je, prekrasna je. Veća nego što sam mislila i teška”, “Trčim u Jysk”, samo su neki od komentara ispod videa s ovom zdjelom koja je, čini se, osvojila mnoge.
Jedno je sigurno – pravila o namjeni predmeta ne treba se uvijek slijepo držati. Ponekad najbolja rješenja nastaju upravo kada im damo novu svrhu. Ako se i vama svidjela ova zdjela, dostupna je u Jysku po cijeni od 15 eura.
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The storybook senior season for pitcher Jackson Eisenhauer of Crespi continued on Tuesday. For the fourth consecutive game, he threw shutout ball, raising his streak of scoreless innings to 26 this season in the Celts’ 3-0 Mission League victory over St. Francis.
Eisenhauer (4-0) struck out 10, walked one and gave up three hits to keep Crespi unbeaten at 7-0. Diego Velazquez hit a home run and finished with two hits and two RBIs. Nate Lopez added two hits and one RBI, while Krystan Bell had three hits.
Eisenhauer was injured as a sophomore, came back last season to throw 11 innings, then gained strength in the offseason.
Sierra Canyon 8, Harvard-Westlake 7: Greyson Gullage had four hits for Sierra Canyon, which held an 8-0 lead, then had to get the final out with a man on third base in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jake Kim hit a two-run home run for Harvard-Westlake.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 6, Chaminade 4: The Knights won their first Mission League game. Dominic Cadiz had two hits and two RBIs.
Loyola 5, Bishop Alemany 4: Davis Bender had two hits and Luca Marucci had an RBI triple to lead Loyola.
Arlington 4, Paloma Valley 1: Cody Kiemele threw five scoreless innings and Luke Bacon had two hits to help Arlington hand the first defeat to Paloma Valley.
Edison 9, Los Alamitos 3: Gavin Johnson had three hits and two RBIs for Edison.
Huntington Beach 7, Marina 1: Tuning up for next week’s Boras Classic, the No. 2-ranked Oilers picked up the win behind a home run and three RBIs from Trent Grindlinger. Jayton Greer added two doubles.
Corona 4, Norco 0: The No. 1-ranked Panthers received a home run and double from Ethin Bingaman. Jason Gerfers struck out six and yielded two hits in five scoreless innings. Freshman Jordan Ayala gave up three hits with three strikeouts and three walks in four innings for Norco.
Warren 4, Bellflower 1: Warren scored four runs in the top of the 10th inning.
Corona Centennial 8, Corona Santiago 1: Jaden Walk-Green had three hits and Ian Calvillo struck out six in six innings for Centennial.
Eastvale Roosevelt 7, King 0: Chris Romo threw a one-hitter for six innings with seven strikeouts for Roosevelt.
Skype has confirmed its discontinuation, it will no longer be available, starting in May 2025. Skype has been a part of our lives for ages, before FaceTime, WhatsApp calls, and Zoom calls. It was the one we could rely on. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video calls and voice calls, both one-to-one and group calls, send instant messages, and share files with other people on Skype. We can easily use it on phones, computers, laptops, or tablets, whatever works best for us. But now that Skype is disappearing forever, there are a few important things we must know before it is gone. Let’s find out what they are.
As per the reports, in May 2025, Skype will be retired. This change will impact both free and paid Skype users, but not Skype for Business. Skype users will have the option to move to Microsoft Teams Free, which offers most of the same core features and more.
Your chats and contacts will appear in the app by logging in to Teams Free with your Skype account so that you can pick up where you left off. This new feature will be available to users over the next few days. It will start with people who use both Skype and Teams and have the latest app versions.
There is another option as well, in case you don’t want to use Microsoft Teams Free, you can export your Skype data. The existing calling and Skype Number subscriptions will continue to automatically renew until April 3, 2025. After May 2025, the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams Free.
Can you continue using Skype for now?
You can continue using Skype until May 5, 2025, with plenty of time to explore Teams Free.
What will happen to your existing Skype account?
You can log in to Teams Free with your existing Skype account and your chats and contacts will be automatically available for you. There is no requirement to create a new Teams Free account.
What will happen to your existing chat history and contacts?
Your chats and contacts will automatically transfer to Teams Free when you log in with your Skype credentials.
How long it will take to sync and process my existing data?
The syncing of your data from Skype to Teams Free should take less than a minute.
Can you use both Skype and Teams Free for now?
Yes, you can use both Skype and Teams Free during the transition period until May 5, 2025.
Will you lose access to Skype after logging in to Teams Free?
No, logging in to Teams Free does not block further access to Skype. During the transition period (from now until May 5, 2025), your Skype data will remain accessible, and you can use both apps as needed.
Can you still communicate with Skype users from Teams Free?
Yes, until May 5, 2025, you can call and chat with Skype users directly from Teams Free. This feature will be rolled out gradually, starting with users who are both Skype and Teams Insiders.
Will all your data migrate to Teams Free?
Chats between Skype users and Teams work or school accounts will not be migrated. Users can use Teams Free to start a new conversation with Teams work or school users and enjoy even more functionality. Here’s what else won’t be migrated:
Skype to Skype for Business chat history will not be migrated.
1:1 chat with self-history will not be migrated.
Private conversation data will not be migrated.
Copilot and bots content will not be supported in Teams Free and no chat history will be available.
When will your data be deleted?
Your Skype data will be available until January 2026 for you to export or delete. If you log in to Microsoft Teams Free by then, your Skype call and chat history will be available to you. If you take no action, your Skype data will be deleted in January 2026.
Italy sells itself: gallery after gallery of Renaissance masterpieces, slippery forkfuls of cacio e pepe, the way the seaside looks even better with a spritz in hand. Some 458 million overnight stays were recorded by travellers seduced by such draws in 2024—setting a tourism record and making Italy the second-most-visited country in all of Europe, just behind Spain.
7 dreamy Italian hotels that will make you pack your bags immediately.(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
“I joke that Italy is always on top of my bucket list,” says Christian Clerc, chief executive officer of Auberge Resorts Collection, an acclaimed US hospitality brand that in recent weeks opened its first Italian hotel, located in the Tuscan hills outside of Florence. “I feel like everybody’s connected to Italy somehow. If you like beauty and culture and food, you probably love coming back again and again just as I do.”
That perpetual demand explains why each year an impressive crop of resort debuts seems to raise the bar for dolce-vita-style indulgence. And in 2025, the newcomers are so impressive, they’re forcing Italy’s classic bastions of luxury to raise their games in turn.
If you’re like Clerc and put Italy at the top of your must-visit list, here are seven hot new and newly reinvigorated hotels to book this summer.
Collegio alla Querce
This urban resort offers the best of both worlds: It’s just a 15-minute drive from Brunelleschi’s Duomo in the center of town, but it’s removed enough to feel like a Tuscan countryside retreat. Its 83 rooms and suites occupy a cluster of 16th century buildings that have assumed many lives—first a school for Florence’s elite (hence the name), then a chapel, then a theater. Now it’s once again fit for society gatherings, with vine-covered trellises shading the pool and a dimly lit bar in the old headmaster’s office. Shelves in the rooms are lined with ceramics commissioned from local artisans; they inform an elegant, earth-toned color scheme all around. And because luxury is all about exclusive experiences now, activities include pasta making with the resort’s chefs, wine tasting classes and private after-hours tours of the Accademia Gallery. Rooms from around €1,000 ($1,092).
Vista Ostuni
In July, Ostuni, a village in Puglia known for its medieval architecture and winding cobblestone streets, will get its first hotel of note just outside the city center in a 14th century palazzo. Its generous suites—starting at some 645 square feet—will have views of either the sea or Ostuni’s famed whitewashed buildings. (The unique limestone architecture is why Italians call it the La Perla Bianca, or “the White Pearl.”) Lauded Italian chef Andrea Berton of Milan’s Michelin-starred Berton will open a fine-dining restaurant downstairs, while on the roof there will be a bar overlooking the tranquil countryside. For guests eager to explore the surrounding area, private car transfers will head 15 minutes north to the seaside and its beach clubs; trips to see the triangular “Trulli” houses in nearby Alberobello can easily be arranged, too. Rooms from around €1,400.
Orient Express La Minerva
The Eternal City is undergoing what feels like an eternal luxury hotel boom, and the latest, greatest entrant is smack in the middle of the Centro Storico, a 10-minute drive from Ostiense Station. The proximity is important as it’s the sibling property to a new luxury train that shares the Orient Express name, taking guests from the capital to destinations like Sicily and Venice in opulent rail journeys that channel the 1920s art deco era. The hotel follows suit with palatial flourishes like marble shell-shaped sinks in its 93 rooms. Top suites have frescoed ceilings and sweeping views of the Pantheon. Bonus: If you’re keen to try the new train journeys before or after your stay, the hotel provides transfers to the station. Rooms from €1,000.
Vetera Matera
Matera in the country’s south has been an in-the-know day trip thanks to its Sassi—rocky dwellings dug into caves, some of which date to the Paleolithic era. But few visitors have stayed overnight, given the town’s lack of noteworthy hotels. That’s about to change with the mid-April arrival of Vetera, which is ideally located for visitors who want to check out the famous structures. Its 23 rooms are carved into the Sassi; the same applies to the spa area, where the pools are built into the rocks. Guests can explore the town’s stone buildings and winding cobbled streets on foot, some of which are featured in the 2021 James Bond film No Time to Die, and then cool down with a cocktail in hand at the outdoor bar. Rooms from around €500.
Ancora Cortina
The Dolomites have never been hotter, as the region unveils a series of hotels in anticipation of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. It may still seem early, but Americans have long preferred the region for summer hiking rather than winter skiing: It’s when long afternoons cast a uniquely rosy glow on the mountainsides. Among the openings are Aman’s yearslong overhaul of the iconic Rosa Alpina, whose name comes from that signature alpenglow. But we’re partial to Ancora Cortina, a spinoff of celebrity-favorite Borgo Egnazia in Puglia. When it opens in May, its 38 rooms will bear the punchy design stamp of Vicky Charles, formerly head of design at Soho House. Notably, it’s a redo of an old hotel that has anchored historic Cortina since 1826, with a location smack in the center of town. Rooms from €800.
Lake Como Edition
Here’s what we said in January when writing about Lake Como Edition as one of Europe’s most exciting openings in 2025: “Once you’ve laid eyes on the Edition’s floating pool, built to hover over Lake Como, you may not even notice the grand building that houses the 142-room hotel. Yet that structure is also a sight to behold: It’s a transformed 19th century building with views to the Bellagio mountains from the western shores of the lake. Expect vibey, dimly lit bars and cool restaurants inside; this is an Edition, after all. That also means you’ll be able to book your five-star stay with Marriott Bonvoy points, a first for tony (and expensive) Lake Como.” We stand by every word.Opening date and rates to be confirmed.
Splendid o, a Belmond Hotel
The grande dame of Portofino is perched high in the hills with enviable views of the blue-green waters of the Ligurian Sea—and many of the rooms have terraces that face the bay. It’s long been one of the most stylish places to stay in town (legends like Elizabeth Taylor have vacationed there) and will become even more of a spot to see and be seen when it reopens this June after a multiyear renovation from design superstar Martin Brudnizki. DJs will spin sets from the pool deck, and guests can splash up for cocktails and pasta at the new terrace restaurant, Splendido Grill. And because this is Belmond—a hotel company LVMH acquired in 2019—there will also be a Dior spa, where four treatment “cabins” will offer al fresco massages set to the sound of crashing waves. Rooms from €2,400.
Microsoft has unveiled the next wave of releases coming to Xbox Game Pass in March 2025.
On the same day Sony released the new PS Plus Extra and Premium gamesfor March, Microsoft has revealed the next five releases coming to Xbox Game Pass in the coming days and weeks. With the PlayStation Plus Extra line-up proving a little lacklustre, it’s a decisive victory for Xbox Game Pass in March.
The Xbox Game Pass releases are headlined by upcoming Rebellion game Atomfall, which will join the line-up as a day-one release on March 27. While the Atomfall reviews are yet to be published, first impressions are extremely positive.
The unique survival game takes place in an alternate history version of the Lake District in Cumbria.
Inspired by Fallout, the British Countryside is home to various factions and raiders following an incident involving nuclear radiation.
Microsoft explains more: “A survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.
“Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.”
Additional titles will be available on Xbox Game Pass in the days leading up to the release of Atomfall on March 27.
This includes the early access release of the interesting looking 33 Souls from today, followed by Octopath Traveller 2 on March 19.
Train Sim World 5 is also coming to Xbox Game Pass on March 19, complete with three new routes for players to experience.
Next up is Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island on March 20, which is playable on Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass and Game Pass Standard.
“You’re shipwrecked on a lost mythical island. As backpacker Alex, you must befriend the forgotten gods of Greek mythology and restore their memories,” reads the official Mythwrecked description.
“Explore the dynamic island and its story sandbox to build new friendships, solve the mystery and save the gods.”
Finally, there’s the excellent albeit slightly underbaked Blizzard Arcade Collection, which joins Game Pass on March 25.
The retro compilation includes Blackthorne, The Lost Vikings, The Lost Vikings 2, Rock N Roll Racing, and RPM Racing. That’s on top of various bonus features like galleries and music players.
Elsewhere, Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers will be treated to Tunic, Batman: Arkham Knight and Monster Sanctuary from March 26.
German carmaker Audi is looking to hybrids to extend the life of petrol-powered models, with a likely move away from its previously stated goal of selling only electric vehicles (EVs) in most markets by 2033.
Announcing its 2024 financial results earlier this week, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said the brand is committed to continue developing internal combustion engine-powered vehicles beyond 2026, when it was originally slated to launch its final petrol car.
“As part of our product initiative, we are not only launching new electric models, but also a new generation of combustion engine vehicles and plug-in hybrids,” Mr Döllner said.
“We will manage the production of our last combustion engine vehicles depending on the various developments in the world markets.”
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Autocar additionally reported Mr Döllner as saying, “For all global regions, we are going to take a look at the life of combustion engines.”
“2032 was the date we had communicated, but we have to reassess those dates and deadlines.
“On balance, an extension of combustion engines will have a positive impact on our business model.”
In 2021, Audi said it would go all electric by 2033, except for the Chinese market.
Both traditional series hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) will play a part in the elongated transition to an electric-only lineup, which is now without a set date.
The new-generation A5, A6, Q5 and next-generation Q3 are set to gain PHEV powertrains overseas within the next year, bridging the gap to going exclusively electric.
While Europe is set to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2035, this doesn’t extend to other core Audi markets such as China and the US.
Diesel engines were once commonly available in Audi’s SUVs and large passenger cars, however Mr Döllner told Autocar the firm “will not invest heavily in new diesel generations”.
Despite this, he said Audi’s current Euro 7-compliant diesel models will remain available “as long as we are able to produce and bring these engines to market”.
“We won’t extend our diesel lineup – if you look at the numbers, it’s declining – but it’s important to us, so we are flexible in that field,” said Mr Döllner.
As reported yesterday, Audi is set to cut up to 7500 jobs by 2029 in a bid to find medium-term savings of more than one billion Euros (A$1.7bn) annually.
Global deliveries of its vehicles were down by 11.8 per cent in 2024, with declines not only in its home market of Germany but also China and North America.
Deliveries also slumped by 19.5 per cent in Australia, with every model bar the A6 and Q3 down on the previous year.
Audi blamed the drop in global deliveries on challenging economic conditions, fierce competition, uncertainty over government electric vehicle (EV) incentives in some markets, and limited availability of parts.
MORE: Audi axing thousands of jobs in cost-cutting move
TDS Rule Change From April 1: With the start of FY 2024-25, significant changes are set to take effect, starting April 1
TDS Rule Changes From April 1
TDS Rule Change From April 1: With the start of the new fiscal year (FY 2024-25), significant changes are set to take effect, starting April 1, 2024. India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has introduced several reforms and updates to the existing tax system through the Union Budget 2024. Among the key changes are the new Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) rules that will impact senior citizens, investors, and commission earners. These changes aim to reduce the tax burden on individuals and enhance their disposable income.
One of the major reforms is for senior citizens. From April 1, 2025, senior citizens will be exempt from TDS on interest income up to Rs 1 lakh earned from Fixed Deposits (FDs), Recurring Deposits (RDs), and similar instruments. If the interest income exceeds Rs 1 lakh in a financial year, TDS will be deducted. This is a welcome change, particularly for senior citizens who depend on interest income as a key source of livelihood.
For the general public, the TDS threshold on interest income has been raised from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. This means that banks will only deduct TDS if an individual’s interest income exceeds Rs 50,000 annually, providing relief for those who earn a moderate income from their deposits.
The new rules also simplify TDS for gaming winnings. TDS will now be deducted only when an individual’s winnings exceed Rs 10,000, eliminating the previous rule of aggregating winnings. This means that even if a person wins Rs 8,000 multiple times, no TDS will be deducted unless their total winnings exceed Rs 10,000.
Additionally, commission earners will benefit from increased TDS thresholds. For insurance agents, the threshold has been raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. Investors in mutual funds and equities will also see a higher dividend tax exemption limit, which has increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.
These changes mark a significant step towards easing the tax burden on taxpayers and streamlining compliance. The new TDS rules, effective starting next year, will simplify the tax process and offer more benefits to individuals, making it a more transparent and taxpayer-friendly system.
News business » tax New TDS Rules From April 2025: Key Changes In Tax Deduction Limits For FD Interest, MFs
In case, you are looking for a cool and interesting way to earn a quick buck, Here’s a platform that pays you for filling out simple surveys. Toluna Group lets you take surveys for forming a database for market research.
Toluna is a worldwide survey technology provider and claims to be the “ World’s Largest social voting community” which has more than nine million survey takers.
In this review, you will get a detailed insight into Toluna, Let’s look into this review article now:
Overview
Name
Toluna
Owner
Frederic-Charles Petit
Founded Year
2000
Headquarters
Paris, France
Type
Online Surveys
Apps
iPhone & Android Devices
Support
Email, Phone
Website
www.toluna.com
What is Toluna?
Toluna is a community survey platform that offers online surveys in return for rewards. This is a Paris( France) based company, managed by the Toluna Group and a well known market research company preferred by brands around the world. With more than 9 million survey takers, for the people who want to make money by taking surveys, Toluna is a preferred option.
The users that register on Toluna and take up these surveys are known as “Toluna Influencers”. These surveys completed are used by the major brands to help them figure out their business plan. It is one of the world’s most popular survey sites which has a very strong subscriber base and an effective portfolio of clients.
With 16+ offices globally, Toluna team aims to provide better products and quality to the consumers. They do it by surveying for the brands and thus it helps in dealing with customer satisfaction and to improve their business plan.
How to Register on Toluna?
Toluna provides its membership to 49 countries. The number of surveys that are available depends on your location.
Step 1: You can fill up the registration form online and sign up for Toluna.
Step 2: After the Toluna login, you will be asked to verify your account by providing your personal details. Further, you are good to take the online surveys.
Toluna Influencers are paid in the form of points which can be redeemed further in the form of gift cards, vouchers, etc. There are two types of Toluna surveys available listed below:
Profile Surveys: These surveys take a short period of time to complete where you are rewarded with 100 points.
Longer Surveys: These surveys take a longer duration to complete typically about 10 to 30 minutes with much higher rewards
You can update your personal information by logging into your account. Select “Account” in the top right corner and then click the Edit option. You can also view your account activity such as credits purchased, surveys launched, and the current status of your subscription.
In cases where you forget your password, you can do it by Clicking the Sign in button at the top right side. Then click the “forgot your password” option and follow the instructions further which you will be able to retrieve your password.
How to make money in Toluna?
There are 8 ways to earn in Toluna which are as follows:
Toluna Surveys: They are the most effective way of earningToluna points. There are multiple surveys available online to complete at any point of time. Usually the majority of the surveys pay 1000-2000 points which lasts for about 20 minutes. 5500 Toluna points are roughly equivalent to 1 pound.
Completing Profile Surveys: You will find the “Profile Surveys” under the surveys option at the top of the screen. Each profile consists of 14 Surveys each and you will get 100points for each survey.
Participate in Polls: In this you will usually earn a points reward of 15 points per poll, usually takes seconds to complete
Post in the Toluna community: You can also earn points by posting your content in the Toluna Community. You may win up to 1000 points per post if your post gets qualified.
Participate in the Contest: Toluna offers launch contests to encourage the users to post more in the community. Inreturn they are rewarded with some points and other prizes.
Start your own contest: you will also be rewarded with points and prizes if you start your own contest.
Refer a friend to Toluna: you can share your referral link with your friends and you will get 500 bonus points for each friend upto 10 months
Play Toluna Games:You can also win points by playing games. You can win about 80-1000 points by spinning the wheel.
How to redeem points in Toluna?
There are 3 ways to redeem the points in Toluna which are listed below:
Rewards:It offers a variety of gift cards with an option to cashout by Paypal. The cheapest gift card costs around 30,000 points
Gifties: These are the tickets you can buy to win a range of rewards
Sweepstakes: You can also exchange your points to get a chance to join the monthly sweepstakes where you can buy branded items
You need to reach of minimum of 30,000 points which are listed below:
$10 gift card for Starbucks- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Cheesecake factory- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Redbox- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for JiffyLube- 30,000 points
$25 gift card for Restaurants.com-45,000 points
$25 gift card for Walmart- 45,000 points
$25 gift card for Fandango- 45,000 points
Toluna is it Legit or Scam?
As per the Toluna reviews, it has been found that Toluna is a legitimate business. Despite its long wait times, it has a noted record of paying its clients and further issuing them good rewards.
It is a company that offers to pay on each survey you take. It has been very popular and has become one of the people’s number one choices regarding online surveys. They also have a base of around 13 million users and is on a rapid expansion
Toluna also has an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau(BBB) with only around 31 customer complaints. Further, it has a 3.8 rating on the Trustpilot with more than 2,100 Toluna reviews.
There are a lot more positive reviews compared to the criticism. It has great customer service for which it accounts as one of the legit organizations that pay people in response to the online surveys.
Conclusion
It is to be acknowledged that Toluna is a legitimate business which pays its users based on the surveys they take.It is one of the top rated companies with a trusted community of 1+ million members which make it highly recommended.
It is an honest way to make full time income on the internet by taking surveys. It has no hidden costs and in turn you will learn how to build a flourishing business online in Toluna. It also allows you to choose surveys in categories which you are interested in.
Thus finally it is advisable that Toluna is worth giving a try. You can take it as a fun experience and further you will enjoy it a lot. If you are looking to earn income by taking up online surveys, then Toluna is definitely on the top lists which are trusted.
FAQ
How much does it cost to join Toluna?
No, Signing up for Toluna is completely free. Sign up today and access its features free of cost
Does Toluna pay in cash?
Toluna Influencers are compensated in points, which can be exchanged for a variety of items such as gift cards, competition entries, or plain old cash.
How long do the surveys take to complete?
It is dependent on the targeting and the screening questions. The more of these questions you have, the longer your survey may take to complete.
How do I cash out my Toluna points?
You need to have at least 60000 points. Go to rewards, convert your points into cash through, 60000points=$20.
Is Toluna Survey Legit?
Toluna is a safe and reliable platform. It is not a scam, and millions of people from all over the world have taken their surveys for over ten years. However, your experience with the site may vary from that of other survey takers.
Toluna Ratings
User Review
1.12 (354 votes)
Pros
It is a very reputed company which is operating.
It is completely free to join and features are free to use
Modern and user-friendly interface
You can earn money by answering the surveys on the go while on the phone
Interesting Surveys
Get a consolation prize even if any disqualified
Cons
The disqualifications can be frustrating
There is a minimum cashout of $30 which is hard to reach
Some of its surveys take time to complete
Some users complain about the long wait times for payments or rewards
Welcome back! NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are home at last. They spent nine months orbiting Earth on the International Space Station. Long-term ISS missions aren’t unusual, except these particular astronauts weren’t planning on an extended stay.
Williams and Wilmore rode to the station on a crewed Boeing Starliner test mission in June. The crew capsule encountered technical issues and was sent back to Earth without the astronauts. Their eight-day stay became a months-long stay. The pair hitched a ride back on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The capsule made a picture-perfect splashdown off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida on Tuesday afternoon.
The SpaceX Dragon Freedom spacecraft is seen after it splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, on Tuesday, returning Crew-9 to Earth.
NYT/Screenshot by CNET
Crew-9 makes successful splashdown
Crew-9’s SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is named Freedom. Dragon’s parachutes gently lowered the capsule into the calm water after a fiery reentry process where temperatures reached up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. A SpaceX recovery ship is tasked with bringing the capsule on board. The crew will catch a helicopter back to land.
NASA’s live coverage of the return started at 4:45 p.m. ET, with splashdown occurring at about 5:57 p.m. NASA scheduled a return-to-Earth media conference for 7:30 p.m. Watch on the NASA app, on streaming service NASA Plus or on YouTube.
Crew-9 to the rescue
Crew-9 launched in late September with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on board. NASA reserved two empty seats for Williams and Wilmore to come home.
Both Williams and Wilmore have insisted they didn’t feel stranded, though that term has been widely applied to them in news stories and social media.
“Butch and Suni each have previously completed two long-duration stays aboard the station,” NASA said in an explainer. “NASA astronauts embark on missions fully aware of the various scenarios that may become reality.”
The astronauts integrated with the existing crew, kept busy with research and even went on a spacewalk together in January.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with four Crew-9 members aboard departs the International Space Station.
NASA
Crew-10 handover
Crew-10 had a bit more riding on it than a typical crew rotation mission. The Crew-10 handover cleared Crew-9 for its long-awaited return to Earth.
The three astronauts and one cosmonaut of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission docked with the International Space Station just after midnight ET Sunday, and at 1:35 a.m., opened the hatches between the Space Dragon spacecraft and the ISS, meeting up with the crew already there.
NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov were welcomed by the Expedition 72 crew, including Williams, Wilmore and Hague, NASA astronaut Don Petitt, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Gorbunov, Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. That made for a crowded house on the space station until Crew-9 left.
Crew-9’s return will mark the end of a space saga that has fascinated the public. It’s a complex story involving Boeing’s Starliner woes, SpaceX’s dominance in human spaceflight and the seeming plight of two space travelers who couldn’t come home.
Williams and Wilmore put in years of training to spend time in space on this mission. It just ended up being a lot more time than they expected.
While marijuana has been legalized in many states, research has shown that it could have detrimental health impacts for some — including a higher risk of heart attacks.
Two recent studies have linked cannabis use to cardiac events, particularly among young, healthier people, according to a release from the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
One study included more than 4.6 million people. The other was a large review that looked at 12 previous studies including more than 75 million people, which is said to be the largest combined study examining the relationship between cannabis and heart attacks.
HEAVY CANNABIS USE COULD POSE THIS THREAT TO THE BRAIN
The findings will be presented at the ACC’s Annual Scientific Session March 29-31 in Chicago and will also be published in the journal JACC Advances.
Two recent studies have linked cannabis use to cardiac events, particularly among young, healthier people.(iStock)
Healthy cannabis users who were younger than age 50 were more than six times as likely to experience a heart attack compared to those who did not use the substance, the researchers found.
They were also four times as likely to have a stroke, twice as likely to experience heart failure and three times as likely to die from a cardiac event.
MARIJUANA USE LINKED TO INCREASED ASTHMA RISK IN YOUTH, STUDY SAYS: ‘WORRISOME’ HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
This risk was shown to peak as soon as one hour after cannabis use in one of the studies.
All participants had no previous heart conditions, were not tobacco users, had healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and had no history of diabetes.
“We do know that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of a cardiac event, and it’s reasonable to assume that smoking marijuana presents a similar risk.”
The study did not identify exactly how marijuana compromises heart health, but the researchers presented some possibilities.
Those included that it could “affect heart rhythm regulation, heighten oxygen demand in the heart muscle, and contribute to endothelial dysfunction, which makes it harder for the blood vessels to relax and expand, and can interrupt blood flow,” the release stated.
OLDER AMERICANS TURN TO MARIJUANA FOR BETTER SLEEP AND PAIN RELIEF: HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW
“Asking about cannabis use should be part of clinicians’ workup to understand patients’ overall cardiovascular risk, similar to asking about smoking cigarettes,” said lead author Ibrahim Kamel, MD, clinical instructor at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and internal medicine resident at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Boston, in the release.
“At a policy level, a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks.”
There were some inconsistencies in the data regarding the duration and amount of cannabis use or the use of tobacco or other drugs, the researchers noted.(iStock)
The study did have some limitations, the researchers noted.
There were some inconsistencies in the data regarding the duration and amount of cannabis use or the use of tobacco or other drugs, the release stated.
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“We should have some caution in interpreting the findings in that cannabis consumption is usually associated with other substances, such as cocaine or other illicit drugs, that are not accounted for,” Kamel said.
Healthy cannabis users who were younger than age 50 were more than six times as likely to experience a heart attack compared to those who did not use the substance.(iStock)
“Patients should be forthcoming with their doctors and remember that we are their No. 1 advocate and having the full story matters.”
The researchers called for additional studies to confirm the findings and identify the highest-risk groups.
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Dr. Jasdeep Dalawari, an Illinois-based interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company, was not involved in the study but reiterated its limitations as a retrospective study.
“A randomized control trial is ideal, but difficult with this topic,” he told Fox News Digital. “It raises questions as to the safety of marijuana as it becomes more ubiquitous.”
“At a policy level, a fair warning should be made so that the people who are consuming cannabis know that there are risks.”
While Dalawari said this study is “interesting and concerning,” he also called for more data on the topic.
“I advise all my patients to quit smoking all substances, because we do know that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of a cardiac event, and it’s reasonable to assume that smoking marijuana presents a similar risk,” he said.
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“It would be interesting to know if this study addresses the risks of ingesting versus smoking. Nevertheless, I would advise patients to limit cannabis use until definitive studies are published.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
Some food combinations go just beyond taste. They work together in ways that increase their benefits. Think of ginger and honey to soothe a sore throat, or ghee and jaggery as per the Ayurveda. Another combination that has gained immense popularity is turmeric and black pepper. Turmeric, also known as Haldi, has long been hailed as a superfood, while black pepper is known to enhance its benefits. From haldi doodh to spice blends, this pairing is everywhere. But does adding a pinch of black pepper really make turmeric more effective? Or is there a way to maximise its benefits? Let’s find out!
Also Read: Does Cooking Turmeric Destroy Its Benefits? Here’s The Answer!
Photo: iStock
What Are The Benefits Of Turmeric And Pepper?
Indian spices don’t just add taste but also nutrients to your body. Both turmeric and black pepper are pretty common spices in Indian kitchens.
Turmeric:
Turmeric, also known as haldi, is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which keep your body safe from infections and other health problems.
Black Pepper:
Packed with vitamins and minerals, black pepper has a high dietary fibre content and moderate amounts of protein and carbohydrates.
The amount of nutrients present in both spices makes them a must-have in your diet routine.
Why Should You Pair Turmeric With Pepper?
For the unversed, turmeric and pepper should be consumed together to have a better absorption of curcumin. Curcumin is a compound found in turmeric. It is known to be super-healthy, however it is completely used by our body because it has poor bioavailability. This is because curcumin metabolises in the liver rapidly and intestinal walls. Only a small portion tends to enter our bloodstream. The piperine present in black pepper enhances digestion, regulates nerve signals, boosts metabolism and controls obesity. This is what helps better absorption of turmeric and its nutrients in the body.
Photo: iStock
Is Turmeric And Pepper Enough For Nutrients?
No. Contrary to popular belief, just turmeric and black pepper won’t be able to provide you with the goodness that you think you’d get. As per nutritionist Leema Mahajan, turmeric is a fat-soluble compound. This means that while pepper is great for absorption without fat, its nutrients go to waste. Not just fat but pairing fats that are rich in lecithin like ghee, coconut oil, eggs, almonds, and even turmeric milk. This is why people drink turmeric milk and not water.
What To Do If We Drink Turmeric Water?
As we mentioned above, turmeric and black pepper without a fat base are of no use and don’t provide any nutrients. However, if you still want to drink turmeric water, the expert suggests adding a spoonful of ghee to your drink to reap its maximum benefits.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-18/U-S-official-links-S-Korea-s-watchlist-status-to-lab-data-misstep-1BQrBDLMDS0/img/87ac39c9ace14dcba3c0e7fa64d47708/87ac39c9ace14dcba3c0e7fa64d47708.png' alt='Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun attends a meeting of officials of the American business body in Seoul, South Korea, March 18, 2025. /VCG'
The U.S. Department of Energy put South Korea on a watchlist because visitors to its laboratories mishandled sensitive information, Joseph Yun, the acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea, said on Tuesday.
The designation, which relegated the U.S. ally to the lowest tier of a list, sparked controversy and debate in Seoul, which said it had not been notified by Washington.
“South Korea was put on this list because there was some mishandling of sensitive information,” Yun said in remarks to the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea.
He did not elaborate on the issue but said more than 2,000 South Korean students, researchers, and government officials visited U.S. labs last year.
Yun said that the designation was limited to the department’s facilities and did not have wider implications for cooperation between the allies.
“It is not a big deal,” he added. “There were some incidents because there were so many South Koreans going there.”
This week, the U.S. Department of Energy confirmed that it had designated South Korea a “sensitive” country in January but did not explain why.
Housing Urban Development Company (HUDCO), the Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), which recently got an NBFC licence, is planning to “become a zero-NPA (non-performing asset) company”, that is it will have no bad loans in its books, over the next 18-odd months, following resolution of ₹1,200-odd worth of projects at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and ₹400-odd crore at the Debt Recovery Tribunal. The company is seeking fundraise from Japan, equalling $500 million (over ₹43,000 crore), at a lower cost of over 100 basis points (at least one percentage point difference), as part of its growth strategy, Sanjay Kulshrestha, Chairman and Managing Director, HUDCO, told businessline.
If plans materialise, HUDCO will be amongst the first NBFCs to have achieved a zero-NPA track record.
“There are some projects which are nearing resolution at the NCLT and other appellate bodies. Nearly 10 projects account for 80 per cent of our NPAs. In the next 18 months or so, we hope to be a zero-NPA company. We are in talks with the borrowers for resolving these cases,” he said.
HUDCO has a gross NPA of 1.88 per cent for 9MFY25, down from the 3.36 per cent in the same period a year ago; whereas net NPA is just 0.27 per cent, down from the 0.49 per cent in the comparative period last year.
The NBFC has a loan book of ₹1,18,931 crore for the nine-month period and a market-cap of nearly ₹47,000 crore. The return on equity and return on assets stand at 14.71 per cent and 2.45 per cent, respectively.
Fund rRaise
In terms of fundraise, Kulshrestha said the company would look at the fundraise from Japan “towards the end of this month”, with interest rates at 6.1-6.4 per cent, substantially lower than funds it raises in the Indian market which come at an interest of nearly 7.4 per cent.
“So we have a clear arbitrage there of one percentage point or so. Japan is offering amongst the most competitive rates including relaxed withholding tax norms,” he said, pointing out that the plan is to bring down cost of funds for the finserv company that is into financing of urban infra (70 per cent) and housing projects (30 per cent).
HUDCO’s incremental cost of funds for the first nine months of the fiscal has been in the 6.8 per cent range, down from 7.18 per cent, the company top brass had previously said in a post-result investor call. The overall cost of borrowings have come down to 7.34 per cent (7.70 per cent).
In comparison, the company lends – primarily to government-backed projects – at 8.6-10 per cent, depending on the risk factor.
HUDCO’s resource mobilisation has been through External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs), Word Bank, ADB, JICA and KfW Development Bank, apart from domestic sources.
“Our long-term plan is to further bring down cost of funds,” Kulshrestha said.
Other sources
According to him, HUDCO would also be tapping the US markets and borrowings in Swiss Francs. “We will see how the US Fed rates move and depending on that we will take a call on tapping that market. In case of Europe, it is Swiss Francs that we can explore depending on the rates offered,” he said.
Officials said there are some high cost borrowings – at 8.95-odd per cent – which would fall due for payment over the next few years. As these repayments happen, the cost of borrowings will be go down by some basis points.
“We intend to be around the 6.8 per cent (cost of funds) range,” Kulshrestha said.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
MIU Miu već nekoliko godina drži vrh LYST Indexa, što potvrđuje njegov status najpopularnijeg brenda svijeta. Zato ne iznenađuje da su mnogi njegovi komadi – od odjeće do modnih dodataka – iznimno popularni. Na društvenim mrežama komadi brenda redovito postaju viralni, a u posljednje vrijeme posebno se ističe jedan – sunčane naočale. Što i ne čudi, s obzirom na to da proljeće samo što nije stiglo, a sunčani dani su već tu.
Miu Miu iz godine u godinu servira hit sunčane naočale
Prošle godine Miu Miu je također imao hit među sunčanim naočalama – Miu Miu 52YS, retro model s tankim metalnim okvirom i ovalnim staklima. Ove godine jedan novi model dominira – Miu Miu MUA06.
Njegov uski, pravokutni oblik, tanki rubovi i prepoznatljiv logotip osvojili su društvene mreže, a TikTok je preplavljen videima žena koje ih opisuju riječima: “Najbrža kupnja” i “Prekrasne su.”
“Opsjednuta sam”
“Opsjednuta sam”, “Izgledaju nevjerojatno”, “Trebaju mi”, “Volim ih”, “Prekrasne su”, “Kupila sam dva para”, “Zašto Miu Miu to radi mom bankovnom računu”, “Kupila sam ih neki dan, savršene sunčane naočale”, “Volim sve od Miu Miu”, samo su neki od komentara ispod videa s ovim naočalama u prvom planu.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Naočale su dostupne u nekoliko varijanti: okvir s uzorkom kornjačevine i tamnozelenim staklima, crni okvir sa staklima u boji karamele te crni okvir s indigo staklima. Cijena im je 370 eura. Pogledajte ih u nastavku.
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TOKYO — For all the memorable cultural experiences they’d enjoyed off the field, and all the eye-opening revelations they’d made about the club’s growing popularity here in Japan, the baseball side of the Dodgers’ season-opening trip to Tokyo hadn’t gotten off to a seamless start.
Mookie Betts was ruled out of action after arriving in Tokyo battling a stomach virus, and eventually forced to make an early return home to Los Angeles on Monday night after losing almost 15 pounds.
Freddie Freeman was scratched from the Dodgers’ opening day lineup shortly before first pitch Tuesday night, after experiencing what the team termed as left rib discomfort following pregame batting practice.
And, after getting shut out in a Sunday exhibition against a Japanese team at the Tokyo Dome, the Dodgers began their regular season without a hit for the first four innings against Chicago Cubs ace — and star Japanese left-hander — Shota Imanaga, twice coming up empty in innings they drew two walks.
But then, the defending World Series champions started doing exactly what their nearly $400-million roster was built to this season.
They worked counts, strung together hits and manufactured runs. They leaned on dominant starting pitching, then a revolving door of reliable arms out of the bullpen. They absorbed an early one-run deficit, and flipped it in a matter of moments in the fifth inning.
By the end of the night, it amounted to an auspicious start to a 2025 season of ambitious expectations, the Dodgers beating the Cubs 4-1 before a pro-Dodger crowd on the other side of the globe.
This week’s trip, of course, was always destined to be about more than just baseball.
It was a culmination of sorts in the Dodgers’ pursuit to “paint Japan blue” — giving them an international platform to showcase their star Japanese trio of Shohei Ohtani, who was playing his first career MLB game back in his home nation; Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who squared off against Imanaga in the first all-Japanese opening day pitching matchup in major league history; and Roki Sasaki, who will make his big league debut in Wednesday’s Tokyo Series finale.
It was an opportunity for their new-look roster — which spent big again this winter in pursuit of a second straight championship — to grow closer off the field in foreign surroundings, with team-bonding efforts aided by a private sushi dinner organized by Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki on Sunday night.
Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani singles in the fifth inning for the team’s first hit of the game against the Cubs.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
It was also a chance for the sport to be celebrated on a global stage, with the influence of Japanese players in the majors — thanks in small no part to Ohtani, whose three MVPs have raised his celebrity level in Japan to unimaginable magnitudes — seemingly at an all-time high.
“I think the last handful of days you could see how excited the fans were, the people of Tokyo were,” manager Dave Roberts said pregame. “The players are ready to get going.”
And though it took the Dodgers five innings to get going themselves, they didn’t look back once they did.
Held hitless through the first four frames by Imanaga, who stranded two pairs of walks in the second and fourth innings, the Dodgers immediately jumped on Cubs reliever Ben Brown in the fifth.
After Andy Pages drew a one-out walk, Ohtani got the rally started in earnest, sending a 107-mph line drive buzzing past Pages and into right field for a single. It was the Dodgers’ first hit, and put a jolt of energy into the sellout crowd, which watched his at-bats Tuesday in eerie silence broken by sudden gasps every time he took a swing or made contact.
From there, the Dodgers just kept coming. Tommy Edman tied the score with a single to left. Teoscar Hernández hit a potential double-play chopper that was instead thrown away by Cubs second baseman Jon Berti, allowing Ohtani to score the go-ahead run. Will Smith doubled the lead with another RBI single.
Five batters. Three runs. One game-changing inning.
The 3-1 lead was plenty for Yamamoto, who followed up a strong spring camp with an impressive five-inning, one-run start; and the Dodgers bullpen, which got to trot its newest toy, $72-million offseason signing Tanner Scott, out to close the game in the ninth inning, after Ohtani generated an insurance run in the top half of the inning by lining a double and scoring on Hernández’s RBI single.
To strengthen its position in the premium electronics space, Zepto has added Apple’s portfolio to its platform. According to the company, the quick commerce platform will now deliver Apple products to its users within minutes.
Apple Gadgets Now Available on Zepto for Instant Delivery
Previously known for providing everyday essentials, Zepto now offers customers the ability to order Apple products, including the latest iPhone 16E, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, and more.
Zepto Joins the Race after Swiggy and Blinkit
With this move, Zepto becomes the latest quick commerce company to join the race of delivering Apple products within minutes. Earlier, its competitors Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit started offering users the ability to order a range of Apple devices – including iPads, AirPods, MacBook Air, and Apple Watch – in select Indian cities.
Company’s Statement
“With Apple’s vast portfolio now on Zepto, we’re enabling premium technology instantly accessible, transforming how people buy high-value gadgets,” said Abhimanyu Singh, Business Head, Electronics Category, Zepto.
“In just the last 30 days, over a million users have actively searched for Apple products—be it, the recently launched iPhone 16E, AirPods 4, or iPads—on Zepto, reflecting a massive interest for instant access to premium tech,” he added.
Why did Zepto expand into the premium electronics space?
According to the company, Zepto’s rapid expansion into premium electronics is driven by a growing demand for instant access to high-value gadgets. The platform has seen a 35 per cent month-on-month increase in users searching for Apple products, it added.
Thailand’s visa rules are changing. Will your next trip be affected?
Thailand plans to halve the number of days it allows foreign tourists to stay without visas to 30 days as the Southeast Asian nation cracks down on travellers exploiting the waiver to engage in illegal businesses, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong.
Bad news for long-term travellers: Thailand reduces visa-free stay to 30 days.(Image by Pixabay)
Since July 2024, Thailand has allowed passport holders from 93 countries to enter the country for tourism for a period not exceeding 60 days. The reduction to 30 days has been agreed in principle by various ministries, various Thai media outlets reported on Monday, citing Surawong.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents had expressed concerns over the growing number of foreigners illegally working or doing business in the country, while the Thai Hotels Association said the long visa-free period may be partly to blame for the increase in condominium units being illegally rented out to foreign guests, the Bangkok Post reported.
The move to shorten the stay could have a low-single-digit negative impact on overall inbound tourism demand, with data from ForwardKeys suggesting as much as 7% of total bookings to Thailand over January-February were for stays of 22 nights or more, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Eric Zhu and George Ferguson.
“The potential policy move adds to a growing list of factors weighing on the sector into 2Q, along with Chinese tourists’ security concerns and tighter travel budgets among North American and European travelers,” the analysts said in a report Tuesday.
Tourism remains a key driver of Thailand’s lackluster economy, which is the second-largest in the region. The government is targeting foreign tourist arrivals to top 40 million this year, which would break a record set in 2019. Between January and March 16, Thailand has welcomed 8.3 million foreign tourists, up 3.9% on the year.
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Earlier this year, Daily Express ranked the Top 10 most underrated World War 2 films of all time.
And among the titles was a hidden gem from Finland in what many dubbed as John Wick vs the Nazis.
Having recently been added to Netflix, the action thriller debuted at No 1 on the UK film chart Top 10.
The $6 million independent film is now holding on to second place, having only been topped by the streamer’s $320 million blockbuster The Electric State.
Set during 1944’s Lapland War, Sisu follows a Finnish Army commando turned gold prospector attempting to defend himself from being robbed and murdered by a Waffen-SS platoon. Influenced by the Spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone and Rambo First Blood, this gory 2022 outing received critical acclaim upon release.
The fourth-generation Suzuki Vitara has been with us now for 10 years, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
NOTE: This is an updated version of a review that was published in July 2024. There have been no major changes to pricing or specification since publication.
It’s worth noting that the production of the current Vitara has ended for Australia due to it not meeting Australian Design Rule 98/00. A facelifted version of this model will amend this and is due to arrive locally in the second quarter of 2025.
Suzuki dealers still have stock of the current Vitara available, including some vehicles which date back to MY23. We have updated key details with the most up-to-date information available. You can read the original version of this review here.
WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2022 Suzuki Vitara Turbo
This small SUV is now among the likes of the outgoing Mitsubishi ASX as the oldest vehicle in its segment, though the Hungarian-sourced Suzuki still has plenty to offer.
The Suzuki Vitara Turbo, as tested here, is fitted with the brand’s Boosterjet engine which is offered in the likes of the Swift Sport and larger S-Cross. With 103kW and 220Nm, it has plenty of grunt to get this 1.2-tonne SUV moving.
Inside, there haven’t been many changes throughout the current Vitara’s time on sale, though Suzuki recently reverted to using the factory-fitted Bosch-supplied 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It was previously fitting a larger 9.0-inch unit locally due to semiconductor shortages.
Overseas there has been yet another facelifted version of the Vitara revealed, and Suzuki Australia has confirmed it will arrive here in the second quarter of 2025. It will also locally debut a hybrid powertrain that has been available in other markets for years now.
Is the Vitara Turbo still worth considering? Read along to find out.
How does the Suzuki Vitara compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the Suzuki Vitara against similarly sized vehicles.
Suzuki
Vitara
How much does the Suzuki Vitara cost?
On test here is the most affordable Vitara variant with the more powerful Boosterjet turbocharged engine.
Model
Price before on-roads
Suzuki Vitara 5MT
$29,990 ($27,541 drive-away for MY23 stock)
Suzuki Vitara 6AT
$31,990 ($29,441 drive-away for MY23 stock)
Suzuki Vitara Shadow 6AT
$35,990
Suzuki Vitara Turbo 6AT
$36,490 ($32,391 drive-away for MY23 stock)
Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip 6AT
$40,490 ($37,341 drive-away for MY23 stock)
Suzuki Vitara Turbo Shadow 6AT
$40,990
Suzuki Vitara Turbo Shadow AllGrip 6AT
$41,490
To see how the Suzuki Vitara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What is the Suzuki Vitara like on the inside?
If you’re expecting drastic changes inside the Vitara’s cabin over a model from a few years ago, think again…
This 10-year-old small crossover hasn’t had any major changes to the interior since it debuted locally in 2015. Only minor tweaks that came about with the facelift in 2019 included a new colour instrument cluster display and the deletion of the cool-looking central analogue clock.
With the current asking price of the Turbo variant on test here, more technology and higher quality materials are expected. Chinese competitors offer newer and higher-tech interiors for less.
Sure, Suzuki offers the S-Cross, which has a newer interior and some plusher touches, but it’s even more expensive than the Vitara. Despite this, there’s still nothing objectively wrong with the Vitara’s interior, it just is what is – budget-oriented. It also looks and feels old-school now among fresher rivals.
Hopping into the Vitara is easy as it has a raised ride height synonymous with crossover SUVs. This is particularly handy for those with limited mobility and don’t want to step down or up too far into a vehicle.
You get a first whiff of the Vitara’s budget-oriented finishes as the doors are super light to open and shut. It doesn’t feel like there’s much padding in the doors, which is something I’ll expand upon further in the driving section.
Once you’re in, the Vitara has a pretty bare-bones interior for a brand-new car in 2024. Almost every surface is hard plastic, which doesn’t sit quite right with me in a small car that costs over $36k drive-away.
In all fairness, there are squidgy soft-touch textile sections on the door armrests and centre armrest, as well as a small felt-feeling panel on the front doors.
The driver’s seat in the Vitara Turbo is mounted high which gives you a perched feel. It pairs nicely with the large windows and thin pillars that provide excellent all-round visibility. The seat itself is comfortable for shorter trips, providing enough side bolstering and thigh support to keep me locked in.
On longer journeys, however, my upper back felt unsupported, making me tense my shoulders. Due to the minimal reach adjustment for the steering wheel as well, I felt I needed to lean forward to properly grasp the wheel.
Speaking of the steering wheel, it’s a typical Suzuki unit that hasn’t changed for the life of the current-generation Vitara. Its leather wrapping, like the seat bolsters, doesn’t actually feel like real leather, which is common for the segment.
All the buttons on the steering wheel are logically laid out, though it still feels like the voice assistant and call buttons mounted on the left-hand side of the steering column are an afterthought.
Ahead of the driver the instrument cluster feels properly old in the age of fully digital instrument clusters. In saying that, though, the analogue dials for your speed and revs are clear to read and understand at a glance.
The 4.2-inch colour instrument cluster display has a number of informative pages that can be cycled through. These are nice to have but I do wish there was one that showed a digital speedometer to complement that proper physical dial.
Also, when you turn on cruise control the graphic for this takes up a considerable amount of precious screen real estate.
Moving across, Suzuki has reverted to fitting the Vitara range with a Bosch-sourced and factory-fitted 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
I have plenty of experience with this particular infotainment system as it was fitted to my Jimny when I bought it. After a number of issues, including intermittent Apple CarPlay connectivity, I recently decided to ditch it and install an aftermarket Pioneer unit instead and have been loving it ever since.
Despite my previous experience with my Jimny’s standard infotainment system, our Vitara Turbo tester didn’t display any infotainment glitches or smartphone mirroring dropouts whatsoever during our (notably short) time with it.
It does take a while for the system to boot up when starting the car, though once it’s on, you can jump around from page to page easily. Be mindful, however, that there isn’t a whole heap to the interface – it’s a rather low-tech implementation.
The Vitara only comes with wired forms of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Like the booting up of the system, it takes a while for the infotainment system to enter the respective smartphone mirroring application. This can be frustrating if you need to quickly punch in navigation details, for example, in a rush.
There’s also built-in satellite navigation, which is nice to have just in case you need to navigate home and don’t have any phone service. It’s not the most intuitive system to use, however.
Looking around the cabin there’s no properly nice place to stow my plus-sized phone when plugged in. I ended up smooshing it ahead of the gear lever, which felt like the best spot but almost got in the way of shifting into ‘Park’.
There are also two cupholders behind the gear selector. These can hold coffee cups fine, though larger bottles struggle to fit due to their square shape. There are also no teeth to securely hold drinks.
Other storage options include a small centre console box for odds and ends, a decently sized glove box, and door pockets with large spaces for bottles.
Moving to the second row, it feels like an even further step down in terms of perceived quality. There are no soft-touch materials at all which makes it a grim space to spend time.
At a leggy 182cm I found leg and shoulder room to be a little on the tight side, but this isn’t uncommon in this size of vehicle. Head and toe-room are okay, though.
In order to get comfortable behind my own driving position, I had to splay my legs on either side of the seat in front. This is fine for shorter trips, though on longer trips, this would get very annoying.
While it’s not a very wide car, two shorter adults should be able sit in the back of the Vitara relatively happily, though pushing it to three abreast would cause for some unhappy passengers.
The centre seatbelt in the rear is also roof-mounted, meaning when it’s in use, it can obstruct rearward visibility.
In terms of child seat capability there are the requisite ISOFIX anchor points on the outboard seats and top tethers on all three rear seats. It’d be very tight fitting more than one child seat in this ca,r though.
Besides the large side windows, which help make the small cabin feel airier, there aren’t very many amenities in the second row. There are no rear air vents, USB charging ports, nor centre armrest with cupholders.
You only get bottle holders in the doors and a singular map pocket on the rear of the front passenger seat.
Out back, the tailgate feels very light and thin. It’s super easy to close with one hand, which is a benefit if you don’t want to put your hand on the paint.
While the second row is a little on the cramped side, the Vitara packs a boot space that’s larger than a number of its newer and more stylish rivals.
There’s even a small concealed space under the floor where you can stow items out of sight.
At 375 litres with the rear seats upright, it’s not what you’d call huge, but for the segment, it’s a square and usable space.
Folding down the 60/40 split-folding rear seats expands the boot space to 1120 litres. While the rear seats don’t fold completely flat, there’s no awkward step-up like some of the Vitara’s rivals.
Lastly, under the boot floor is a space-saver spare wheel. While this isn’t quite as useful as a full-size spare wheel, it’s great to have if you get a puncture and you’re in the middle of nowhere.
Dimensions
Suzuki Vitara Turbo
Length
4175mm
Width
1775mm
Height
1610mm
Wheelbase
2500mm
Cargo capacity
375L (5 seats) 1120L (2 seats)
To see how the Suzuki Vitara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The Vitara Turbo is equipped with the more powerful 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ‘Boosterjet’ engine. Our tester is front-wheel drive, though there is an all-wheel drive model available.
Specifications
Suzuki Vitara Turbo
Engine
1.4L 4cyl turbo-petrol
Power
103kW (5500rpm)
Torque
220Nm (1500-4000rpm)
Transmission
6-speed auto
Driven wheels
FWD
Weight
1185kg (kerb)
Fuel economy (claimed)
5.9L/100km
Fuel economy (as tested)
6.1L/100km (125km urban driving)
Fuel tank capacity
47 litres
Fuel requirement
95 RON
CO2 emissions
138g/km
Emissions standard
Euro 5
Braked tow capacity
1650kg
It’s worth noting on a 80km drive loop including heavy urban, freeway and outer-urban windy roads, I achieved an average of 5.5L/100km, which is pretty great for this kind of car.
To see how the Suzuki Vitara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Suzuki Vitara drive?
Starting up the Boosterjet engine comes to life quietly, even when it’s cold. It has a crisp idle sound that isn’t as intrusive as some Mazda or Subaru cars, for example.
Vitara Turbo AllGrip shown
Setting off this little crossover feels zippy and peppy. It surges away from a standstill with ease and is eager to get up to the sign-posted speed limit in a decent time.
The Vitara Turbo is by no means a hot SUV, but the Boosterjet engine makes this small SUV feel a little warmer than you initially think. It’s a cracker of an engine, and I can see why it’s also fitted to the S-Cross, as well as the Swift Sport.
As standard, there’s a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission that’s arguably pretty low-tech in 2024. It does the job, though and doesn’t have a learning curve like the dual-clutch transmissions that are fitted to the Vitara’s newer rivals.
The six-speed auto does like to shift up gears rather quickly to keep revs down and minimise fuel use. Thankfully the 220Nm of peak torque comes on tap from just 1500rpm, meaning it can lean into this reserve often, creating a fuss-free driving experience.
Where this comes undone at points, however, is the transmission can hang on to higher gears for a little too long, causing the car to feel like it’s bogging down. After a second or two, the transmission does eventually sort itself out and changes down a gear or two to help you accelerate faster.
Unfortunately there are no sporty drive modes in the Vitara to help make the revs flare a little quicker. There is a manual mode, but then you need to use the paddle shifters to change gears yourself.
Around town and in the city, the Vitara Turbo feels like it’s in its element. It’s very light on its feet, making it a super fun car to chuck around in everyday scenarios. It only weighs 1.2 tonnes, so it’s a lightweight for the segment.
The Vitara Turbo’s dynamism is let down, however, by its steering as it doesn’t feel properly connected to what’s happening with the wheels. It feels awkwardly heavy on centre and then overly assisted when the wheel is turned a bit further.
For such a light car I also wasn’t expecting the suspension to be so firm and brittle over bumps and pimply metropolitan roads. Many road imperfections transmit into the cabin, which can get tiring pretty quickly.
As I mentioned in the interior section, the Vitara has acres of glass, which provides plenty of outward visibility. You’re also easily able to place each corner of the vehicle, which makes parking a breeze.
As standard the Vitara Turbo comes with front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera. The latter doesn’t have the greatest resolution and also makes an annoying singular beeping sound every time it’s activated.
Building up speed, the Boosterjet engine doesn’t feel stressed whatsoever. The car will happily sit along at highway and freeway speeds with revs kept down low. It will also only drop a gear if it really needs to.
What becomes more of a major factor at higher speeds in the Vitara however, is the copious amounts of road and tyre noise. Inside the cabin, it sounds very tinny, which is likely a result of the light doors and minimal padding.
In order to negate the roaring road and tyre noise you can turn the sound system volume up, but ultimately this doesn’t fix the problem.
At higher speeds, the suspension also doesn’t really settle, feeling busy almost all the time. Mid-corner bumps really upset the car, too. This is unfortunate because it makes longer drives fatiguing.
The Vitara Turbo would be a much more comfortable car to rack up kilometres on the highway if it had more sound deadening and a slightly more compliant suspension tune, as the turbocharged powertrain can definitely handle the task.
On the safety front, the adaptive cruise control system is good but not great. It’s a handy feature that helps reduce how fatiguing highway driving can be, but it also likes to leave a generous gap between the car ahead.
There’s also a lane departure warning that only plays a chime when you are starting to drift out of your lane. It doesn’t actually provide any assistance to steer you back in the lane like many newer rivals.
Also of note, I had one moment where the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system went off falsely. It was on a narrow urban road with cars parked on both sides. This type of thing happens occasionally and I’m glad there were no other moving cars around me.
Lastly, I need to mention the headlights. The Vitara Turbo has LED low beams, which are fantastic and bright, however, the high beams are halogen. Yes, you read that correctly.
To see how the Suzuki Vitara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
On test here is the penultimate variant in the current range, the Vitara Turbo.
Suzuki Vitara equipment highlights:
17-inch alloy wheels
Space-saver spare wheel
Roof rails
Privacy glass
Halogen headlights
Front fog lights
4.2-inch instrument cluster display
7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Four-speaker sound system
Climate control
Keyless entry and push-button start
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Fabric upholstery
Vitara Shadow adds:
17-inch black alloy wheels
Black front bumper and grille inserts
Black roof spoiler
Black decals
Vitara Turbo adds (over the base model):
17-inch polished alloy wheels
Automatic LED headlights
Rain-sensing wipers
Power-folding side mirrors
6-speaker sound system
Leather-accented upholstery
Autonomous emergency braking
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane-departure warning
Adaptive cruise control
Front and rear parking sensors
To see how the Suzuki Vitara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the Suzuki Vitara safe?
As of January 1, 2023, the Suzuki Vitara range is ‘unrated’ by independent vehicle safety authority ANCAP in Australia. Vehicles built before January 1 have a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2015 assessment against older criteria.
Category
Suzuki Vitara
Side Impact
16 out of 16
Pole
2 out of 2
Whiplash protection
Good
Pedestrian protection
Good
Total
35.79 out of 37
It’s worth noting that active safety assists were not a requirement to get a five-star rating when the Vitara was originally tested, and the base grade currently does without features like AEB and lane departure warning.
Standard safety features include:
7 airbags incl. driver’s knee
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Brake assist
Electronic brake distribution (EBD)
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Reversing camera
Vitara Turbo adds:
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
Blind-spot monitoring
Lane departure warning
Rear cross-traffic alert
Adaptive cruise control
Weaving Alert
To see how the Suzuki Vitara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How much does the Suzuki Vitara cost to run?
The Suzuki Vitara, like the wider Suzuki range, is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Servicing and Warranty
Suzuki Vitara Turbo
Warranty
5 years, unlimited kilometres
Roadside assistance
Up to 5 years (service activated)
Service intervals
12 months or 10,000 kilometres
Capped price servicing
Up to 5 years or 100,000km
Total capped price service cost
$1985
To see how the Suzuki Vitara stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Suzuki Vitara
The Suzuki Vitara is now one of the oldest vehicles in its segment, but this small SUV still proves itself to be a great fuss-free runabout for those who don’t want all the frills.
The turbocharged Boosterjet engine is an absolute gem and is definitely the pick of the lineup. While its outputs don’t seem like much on paper, in practice they get the car moving along with ease.
There is an all-wheel drive version of the Vitara Turbo available for an extra $5000, though I’d argue the extra weight doesn’t bring any tangible added value besides security in slippery situations. The average punter also likely won’t really use the system to its full advantage anyway.
The Vitara Turbo feels best suited and most at home in the city. Its light kerb weight makes it a fun car to throw around corners, plus the raised seating position and acres of all-round visibility make it simple to park.
Although the Boosterjet engine can easily handle highway and freeway driving, the Vitara makes this tiring with its bumpy and fussy ride, and it is loud due to the copious amounts of road and tyre noise.
At the end of the day you have to keep in mind this car has clearly been built to suit tighter budgets. Sure there are a couple of soft touches in the interior, but pretty much every other surface is hard plastic.
What isn’t cheap however about the Vitara Turbo is its asking price. At $36,490 before on-roads, this small SUV goes up against some really tough competitors that are considerably newer, offer plusher interiors, and have more sophisticated infotainment and active safety technologies.
If this is something that doesn’t worry you, though, the Vitara Turbo is an old-school, fun, small SUV that you should go out and experience.
Interested in buying a Suzuki Vitara? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
The investor expressed his frustration after Amazon announced another 10,000 layoffs following 18,000 cuts in November.
Amazon.
Complete Circle CIO Gurmeet Chadha slammed Amazon’s recent layoff announcement, calling out the company’s use of corporate jargon.
The investor expressed his frustration after Amazon announced another 10,000 layoffs following 18,000 cuts in November. He questioned the use of titles like “People Experience Head” and “Chief People Officer” while referring to employees as “family,” calling it all a show.
“Amazon is laying off 10000 more people after laying off 18k in November. They call their HR heads as People Experience Head, Chief People Officer and fancy names… employees r called families. Sab drama!!” he said in a post on X.
Amazon is laying off 10000 more people after laying off 18k in NovemberThey call their HR heads as People experience head, chief people officer and fancy names.. employees r called families.
Sab drama!!
AI or any disruption which brings misery to ur own people is useless.…
Chadha condemned widespread layoffs disguised as innovation, and argued that technological advancements should not harm people’s livelihoods. He further said that AI and other disruptive technologies are pointless if they inflict suffering.
“AI or any disruption which brings misery to ur own people is useless,” he added.
Citing Guru Nanak Dev’s philosophy of ‘Sarbat da bhalla‘ (welfare of all), he emphasised the importance of prioritising people’s well-being in any innovation.
“Call me old school but I value people more than anything else. Any innovation, as Guru Nanak Devji said, should keep people welfare (Sarbat da bhalla) as the core,” he said.
Chadha’s remarks came after Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s aggressive restructuring efforts to flatten the company’s hierarchy and empowering employees.
Citing concerns about sluggish decision-making due to excessive managerial layers, Jassy aims to streamline operations and foster a more agile work environment.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Jassy criticised the current structure, stating, “You add a lot of people and you end up with a lot of middle managers.”
He argued that this excess of middle management often leads to unnecessary bureaucracy and slows down progress.
“You end up with these people being in the pre-meeting, for the pre-meeting, for the decision meeting, and not always making recommendations and owning things,” Jassy elaborated.
News business ‘AI Bringing Misery To People…’: Veteran Investor Slams Amazon’s 10K Layoffs
In case, you are looking for a cool and interesting way to earn a quick buck, Here’s a platform that pays you for filling out simple surveys. Toluna Group lets you take surveys for forming a database for market research.
Toluna is a worldwide survey technology provider and claims to be the “ World’s Largest social voting community” which has more than nine million survey takers.
In this review, you will get a detailed insight into Toluna, Let’s look into this review article now:
Overview
Name
Toluna
Owner
Frederic-Charles Petit
Founded Year
2000
Headquarters
Paris, France
Type
Online Surveys
Apps
iPhone & Android Devices
Support
Email, Phone
Website
www.toluna.com
What is Toluna?
Toluna is a community survey platform that offers online surveys in return for rewards. This is a Paris( France) based company, managed by the Toluna Group and a well known market research company preferred by brands around the world. With more than 9 million survey takers, for the people who want to make money by taking surveys, Toluna is a preferred option.
The users that register on Toluna and take up these surveys are known as “Toluna Influencers”. These surveys completed are used by the major brands to help them figure out their business plan. It is one of the world’s most popular survey sites which has a very strong subscriber base and an effective portfolio of clients.
With 16+ offices globally, Toluna team aims to provide better products and quality to the consumers. They do it by surveying for the brands and thus it helps in dealing with customer satisfaction and to improve their business plan.
How to Register on Toluna?
Toluna provides its membership to 49 countries. The number of surveys that are available depends on your location.
Step 1: You can fill up the registration form online and sign up for Toluna.
Step 2: After the Toluna login, you will be asked to verify your account by providing your personal details. Further, you are good to take the online surveys.
Toluna Influencers are paid in the form of points which can be redeemed further in the form of gift cards, vouchers, etc. There are two types of Toluna surveys available listed below:
Profile Surveys: These surveys take a short period of time to complete where you are rewarded with 100 points.
Longer Surveys: These surveys take a longer duration to complete typically about 10 to 30 minutes with much higher rewards
You can update your personal information by logging into your account. Select “Account” in the top right corner and then click the Edit option. You can also view your account activity such as credits purchased, surveys launched, and the current status of your subscription.
In cases where you forget your password, you can do it by Clicking the Sign in button at the top right side. Then click the “forgot your password” option and follow the instructions further which you will be able to retrieve your password.
How to make money in Toluna?
There are 8 ways to earn in Toluna which are as follows:
Toluna Surveys: They are the most effective way of earningToluna points. There are multiple surveys available online to complete at any point of time. Usually the majority of the surveys pay 1000-2000 points which lasts for about 20 minutes. 5500 Toluna points are roughly equivalent to 1 pound.
Completing Profile Surveys: You will find the “Profile Surveys” under the surveys option at the top of the screen. Each profile consists of 14 Surveys each and you will get 100points for each survey.
Participate in Polls: In this you will usually earn a points reward of 15 points per poll, usually takes seconds to complete
Post in the Toluna community: You can also earn points by posting your content in the Toluna Community. You may win up to 1000 points per post if your post gets qualified.
Participate in the Contest: Toluna offers launch contests to encourage the users to post more in the community. Inreturn they are rewarded with some points and other prizes.
Start your own contest: you will also be rewarded with points and prizes if you start your own contest.
Refer a friend to Toluna: you can share your referral link with your friends and you will get 500 bonus points for each friend upto 10 months
Play Toluna Games:You can also win points by playing games. You can win about 80-1000 points by spinning the wheel.
How to redeem points in Toluna?
There are 3 ways to redeem the points in Toluna which are listed below:
Rewards:It offers a variety of gift cards with an option to cashout by Paypal. The cheapest gift card costs around 30,000 points
Gifties: These are the tickets you can buy to win a range of rewards
Sweepstakes: You can also exchange your points to get a chance to join the monthly sweepstakes where you can buy branded items
You need to reach of minimum of 30,000 points which are listed below:
$10 gift card for Starbucks- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Cheesecake factory- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Redbox- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for JiffyLube- 30,000 points
$25 gift card for Restaurants.com-45,000 points
$25 gift card for Walmart- 45,000 points
$25 gift card for Fandango- 45,000 points
Toluna is it Legit or Scam?
As per the Toluna reviews, it has been found that Toluna is a legitimate business. Despite its long wait times, it has a noted record of paying its clients and further issuing them good rewards.
It is a company that offers to pay on each survey you take. It has been very popular and has become one of the people’s number one choices regarding online surveys. They also have a base of around 13 million users and is on a rapid expansion
Toluna also has an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau(BBB) with only around 31 customer complaints. Further, it has a 3.8 rating on the Trustpilot with more than 2,100 Toluna reviews.
There are a lot more positive reviews compared to the criticism. It has great customer service for which it accounts as one of the legit organizations that pay people in response to the online surveys.
Conclusion
It is to be acknowledged that Toluna is a legitimate business which pays its users based on the surveys they take.It is one of the top rated companies with a trusted community of 1+ million members which make it highly recommended.
It is an honest way to make full time income on the internet by taking surveys. It has no hidden costs and in turn you will learn how to build a flourishing business online in Toluna. It also allows you to choose surveys in categories which you are interested in.
Thus finally it is advisable that Toluna is worth giving a try. You can take it as a fun experience and further you will enjoy it a lot. If you are looking to earn income by taking up online surveys, then Toluna is definitely on the top lists which are trusted.
FAQ
How much does it cost to join Toluna?
No, Signing up for Toluna is completely free. Sign up today and access its features free of cost
Does Toluna pay in cash?
Toluna Influencers are compensated in points, which can be exchanged for a variety of items such as gift cards, competition entries, or plain old cash.
How long do the surveys take to complete?
It is dependent on the targeting and the screening questions. The more of these questions you have, the longer your survey may take to complete.
How do I cash out my Toluna points?
You need to have at least 60000 points. Go to rewards, convert your points into cash through, 60000points=$20.
Is Toluna Survey Legit?
Toluna is a safe and reliable platform. It is not a scam, and millions of people from all over the world have taken their surveys for over ten years. However, your experience with the site may vary from that of other survey takers.
Toluna Ratings
User Review
1.12 (354 votes)
Pros
It is a very reputed company which is operating.
It is completely free to join and features are free to use
Modern and user-friendly interface
You can earn money by answering the surveys on the go while on the phone
Interesting Surveys
Get a consolation prize even if any disqualified
Cons
The disqualifications can be frustrating
There is a minimum cashout of $30 which is hard to reach
Some of its surveys take time to complete
Some users complain about the long wait times for payments or rewards
In case, you are looking for a cool and interesting way to earn a quick buck, Here’s a platform that pays you for filling out simple surveys. Toluna Group lets you take surveys for forming a database for market research.
Toluna is a worldwide survey technology provider and claims to be the “ World’s Largest social voting community” which has more than nine million survey takers.
In this review, you will get a detailed insight into Toluna, Let’s look into this review article now:
Overview
Name
Toluna
Owner
Frederic-Charles Petit
Founded Year
2000
Headquarters
Paris, France
Type
Online Surveys
Apps
iPhone & Android Devices
Support
Email, Phone
Website
www.toluna.com
What is Toluna?
Toluna is a community survey platform that offers online surveys in return for rewards. This is a Paris( France) based company, managed by the Toluna Group and a well known market research company preferred by brands around the world. With more than 9 million survey takers, for the people who want to make money by taking surveys, Toluna is a preferred option.
The users that register on Toluna and take up these surveys are known as “Toluna Influencers”. These surveys completed are used by the major brands to help them figure out their business plan. It is one of the world’s most popular survey sites which has a very strong subscriber base and an effective portfolio of clients.
With 16+ offices globally, Toluna team aims to provide better products and quality to the consumers. They do it by surveying for the brands and thus it helps in dealing with customer satisfaction and to improve their business plan.
How to Register on Toluna?
Toluna provides its membership to 49 countries. The number of surveys that are available depends on your location.
Step 1: You can fill up the registration form online and sign up for Toluna.
Step 2: After the Toluna login, you will be asked to verify your account by providing your personal details. Further, you are good to take the online surveys.
Toluna Influencers are paid in the form of points which can be redeemed further in the form of gift cards, vouchers, etc. There are two types of Toluna surveys available listed below:
Profile Surveys: These surveys take a short period of time to complete where you are rewarded with 100 points.
Longer Surveys: These surveys take a longer duration to complete typically about 10 to 30 minutes with much higher rewards
You can update your personal information by logging into your account. Select “Account” in the top right corner and then click the Edit option. You can also view your account activity such as credits purchased, surveys launched, and the current status of your subscription.
In cases where you forget your password, you can do it by Clicking the Sign in button at the top right side. Then click the “forgot your password” option and follow the instructions further which you will be able to retrieve your password.
How to make money in Toluna?
There are 8 ways to earn in Toluna which are as follows:
Toluna Surveys: They are the most effective way of earningToluna points. There are multiple surveys available online to complete at any point of time. Usually the majority of the surveys pay 1000-2000 points which lasts for about 20 minutes. 5500 Toluna points are roughly equivalent to 1 pound.
Completing Profile Surveys: You will find the “Profile Surveys” under the surveys option at the top of the screen. Each profile consists of 14 Surveys each and you will get 100points for each survey.
Participate in Polls: In this you will usually earn a points reward of 15 points per poll, usually takes seconds to complete
Post in the Toluna community: You can also earn points by posting your content in the Toluna Community. You may win up to 1000 points per post if your post gets qualified.
Participate in the Contest: Toluna offers launch contests to encourage the users to post more in the community. Inreturn they are rewarded with some points and other prizes.
Start your own contest: you will also be rewarded with points and prizes if you start your own contest.
Refer a friend to Toluna: you can share your referral link with your friends and you will get 500 bonus points for each friend upto 10 months
Play Toluna Games:You can also win points by playing games. You can win about 80-1000 points by spinning the wheel.
How to redeem points in Toluna?
There are 3 ways to redeem the points in Toluna which are listed below:
Rewards:It offers a variety of gift cards with an option to cashout by Paypal. The cheapest gift card costs around 30,000 points
Gifties: These are the tickets you can buy to win a range of rewards
Sweepstakes: You can also exchange your points to get a chance to join the monthly sweepstakes where you can buy branded items
You need to reach of minimum of 30,000 points which are listed below:
$10 gift card for Starbucks- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Cheesecake factory- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for Redbox- 30,000 points
$10 gift card for JiffyLube- 30,000 points
$25 gift card for Restaurants.com-45,000 points
$25 gift card for Walmart- 45,000 points
$25 gift card for Fandango- 45,000 points
Toluna is it Legit or Scam?
As per the Toluna reviews, it has been found that Toluna is a legitimate business. Despite its long wait times, it has a noted record of paying its clients and further issuing them good rewards.
It is a company that offers to pay on each survey you take. It has been very popular and has become one of the people’s number one choices regarding online surveys. They also have a base of around 13 million users and is on a rapid expansion
Toluna also has an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau(BBB) with only around 31 customer complaints. Further, it has a 3.8 rating on the Trustpilot with more than 2,100 Toluna reviews.
There are a lot more positive reviews compared to the criticism. It has great customer service for which it accounts as one of the legit organizations that pay people in response to the online surveys.
Conclusion
It is to be acknowledged that Toluna is a legitimate business which pays its users based on the surveys they take.It is one of the top rated companies with a trusted community of 1+ million members which make it highly recommended.
It is an honest way to make full time income on the internet by taking surveys. It has no hidden costs and in turn you will learn how to build a flourishing business online in Toluna. It also allows you to choose surveys in categories which you are interested in.
Thus finally it is advisable that Toluna is worth giving a try. You can take it as a fun experience and further you will enjoy it a lot. If you are looking to earn income by taking up online surveys, then Toluna is definitely on the top lists which are trusted.
FAQ
How much does it cost to join Toluna?
No, Signing up for Toluna is completely free. Sign up today and access its features free of cost
Does Toluna pay in cash?
Toluna Influencers are compensated in points, which can be exchanged for a variety of items such as gift cards, competition entries, or plain old cash.
How long do the surveys take to complete?
It is dependent on the targeting and the screening questions. The more of these questions you have, the longer your survey may take to complete.
How do I cash out my Toluna points?
You need to have at least 60000 points. Go to rewards, convert your points into cash through, 60000points=$20.
Is Toluna Survey Legit?
Toluna is a safe and reliable platform. It is not a scam, and millions of people from all over the world have taken their surveys for over ten years. However, your experience with the site may vary from that of other survey takers.
Toluna Ratings
User Review
1.12 (354 votes)
Pros
It is a very reputed company which is operating.
It is completely free to join and features are free to use
Modern and user-friendly interface
You can earn money by answering the surveys on the go while on the phone
Interesting Surveys
Get a consolation prize even if any disqualified
Cons
The disqualifications can be frustrating
There is a minimum cashout of $30 which is hard to reach
Some of its surveys take time to complete
Some users complain about the long wait times for payments or rewards
These days, brands championing a social cause or initiative must treat it as a serious commitment.
Of course, it was never a good idea to take an ad hoc approach to cause marketing — adding a rainbow frame to the brand’s social media profile for a month or using a climate-change hashtag in an Arbor Day blog article.
But now, the very act of advocating for or supporting a hot topic involves so many elements and can spark more responses from stakeholders (and non-stakeholders) that it demands a detailed strategy.
What if the content marketing team could lead in developing that strategy and be at the helm of the brand’s ongoing effort around that important topic?
You’ll elevate content marketing’s role within the organization (and maybe even get that much-coveted seat at the top leadership table).
But how do you do it with a healthy, sustainable approach? Follow this three-step plan for a cause-related content marketing strategy.
1. Start at the top
Many brands say they’re committed to a cause but struggle with demonstrating that commitment.
Why? The cause conversation never hits on what needs to happen to ensure the organization keeps its public face focused on those topics.
A documented content marketing strategy around a cause commitment enables all the teams creating content to operate from the same page. Its development can also serve as a jumping-off point for other departments or the whole organization to develop a long-term strategy around the brand’s cause-related mission.
Your strategy preparation starts not with content marketing but with the organization’s business operations:
That first step will likely take the most time — it involves a lot of elements you likely don’t have control over. But do this research. Interviewing key stakeholders will inform everything you do next. Your investigation will help people across the organization realize the depth of the brand’s commitment and better understand the goals for its cause commitment.
Your actions also communicate to leadership that your priority is to ensure content marketing aligns with business objectives.
With this research finished, you’ll likely find yourself with one of two conclusions:
Clear cause-specific business goals and metrics or
A fuzzy picture of what leadership would like to happen (though they haven’t fully formulated a plan or set goals)
No matter which outcome you reach, you can still progress to the next step. It just might be harder if you’re in the fuzzy picture crowd.
2. Bring in the audience
Now that you’ve thought about the business, it’s time to consider your audience.
In most cause-related initiatives, marketers forget they have a target audience and simply decide to create content related to the cause. That’s a positive step, but it’s only the beginning.
Ask audience-specific questions, such as:
Who in the target audience is most interested in this content?
Why?
What do they want from this content?
With this information, you can likely narrow down your larger target audience or renew your commitment to an existing persona or niche. This is the group to target with your cause content marketing strategy.
3. Align cause objective with business and audience
Knowing your business goals and audience, you’re ready to figure out the content marketing objectives.
What content marketing goals align with both business goals and audience interests? Are they concrete and measurable?
For example, with an inclusive content marketing strategy, benchmarks for imagery, accessible content, voice representation in content, etc., are important. However, they focus on tactics and don’t properly incorporate the audience.
What do you want from your readers, viewers, and listeners? Your answer will likely fall into these three broad objectives:
The three goals function together as stages or a funnel. Brand awareness leads an audience to act, and that action ultimately contributes to brand loyalty.
An election-season analogy might help:
A voter learns about a candidate (awareness).
The voter decides to support the candidate (action).
The voter puts the candidate’s sign in their yard (loyalty).
In cause-oriented content, most marketers do the brand awareness stage well. You might change the social profile image to represent the designated month. You publish an article from the CEO explaining the brand’s commitment to the cause and review metrics around social media engagement, increased traffic, or time on page.
However, you also should work to move the audience to the second stage — action. You might invite readers to subscribe to a series of articles around your brand’s cause commitment and activities. You could ask them to register for a webinar to learn more. Success metrics would include sign-ups.
Keep pushing the audience to get to the third goal in the sequence — loyalty. Publish regular and authentic content around the cause’s mission. You’ll convince the audience that your brand walks the talk.
They’ll continue to consume your content. They might buy your products. And they might tell others about why they like your brand (whether they buy from you or not). Success metrics might include returning visitors, number of pages visited, purchase activity, and brand mentions.
TIP: As you determine your initiative-specific content marketing goals, you need to discuss the content plans, too. What formats will you use? How frequently will you publish? Those two factors allow you to set relevant and realistic goals.
Follow through on your cause commitment
Supporting or promoting a social cause or initiative requires a serious commitment. Rather than celebrating a single day or month, adopt a long-term content marketing strategy around the cause. Your audience will realize that your brand isn’t jumping on the bandwagon — it’s truly committed. That differentiation will lead them to get more involved with your content and ultimately develop a stronger bond with your brand.
And that’s a great way to elevate your content team’s role in meeting business objectives.
Updated from an October 2022 article.
Want more content marketing tips, insights, and examples? Subscribe to workday or weekly emails from CMI.
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Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute
Eight years after receiving a life-shattering diagnosis, a New Jersey mother credits an “amazing” new drug for stopping her disease in its tracks.
Raziel Green, 52, an active runner and mother of two, was diagnosed with a rare form of ALS in 2017.
The former retail manager first started experiencing symptoms more than 10 years ago, when her legs started to feel heavy during what would normally be an easy run, Green told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview.
NEW MEDICATION FOR ALS ELIGIBLE FOR FAST-TRACK FDA APPROVAL
“A couple months later, I started to struggle going up the stairs at my house,” she recalled.
Several months later, when Green started to experience balance issues and muscle loss, she decided to see a neurologist, who told her there was nothing wrong.
Raziel Green, 52, an active runner and mother of two (pictured with her children), was diagnosed with a rare form of ALS in 2017.(Raziel Green)
Knowing that her mother and aunt had both been diagnosed with a rare form of ALS, Green pushed for more opinions and tests. It wasn’t until she saw a third neurologist, who specialized in genetic diseases, that she was diagnosed with superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The disease, which is caused by mutations in the SOD1 gene, accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of genetic ALS cases and 1% to 2% of sporadic ALS cases, according to the ALS Association.
SERVICE DOG HELPS BOY WITH RARE GENETIC DISORDER ACHIEVE ‘UNBELIEVABLE’ PROGRESS
Soon after her diagnosis, Green learned about a clinical trial at Mass General for an experimental drug — QALSODY® (tofersen), which is made by Biogen in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The medication is administered into the spinal fluid via a lumbar puncture every few weeks.
“We can speculate that because the drug targets the DNA, it could be curative if given early enough, but these trials have not been conducted yet.”
“I was given the opportunity and was fortunate enough to be a part of the trial,” she said.
“Knowing that we have the gene, I really wanted to do this not just for me and my family, but for others who have this form of ALS.”
“It gives my kids the opportunity to get tested and to have this medicine as a preventative treatment,” Green said of the medication QALSODY.(Raziel Green)
Within four months, Green said she saw a “huge difference,” and has not gotten any worse since.
“I saw a neurologist and she compared notes from between now and seven years ago, and she cannot see anything that is different from the day that I was diagnosed.”
Benefits and risks
QALSODY is designed specifically to treat the SOD1 form of ALS by lowering the toxic effects of the mutations in the SOD1 gene, according to Timothy M. Miller, MD, PhD, vice chair of neurology research and co-director of the ALS Center at Washington University in St. Louis.
FAMILY SELLING DREAM HOME TO FUND LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT FOR 5-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
“About 20% to 25% of people with SOD1 ALS treated with QALSODY have shown not only slowing of progression, but have had progression stopped altogether or shown signs of improvement,” the doctor, who was not involved in Green’s care, told Fox News Digital.
Dr. Thomas Purvis, a neurologist at the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, called tofersen one of the “most exciting medications” for ALS in recent years.
The former retail manager first started experiencing symptoms more than 10 years ago, when her legs started to feel heavy during what would normally be an easy run, Green told Fox News Digital.(Raziel Green)
While the benefits seen during the 28-week trial period were “modest,” he said, patients began to look and feel better over the long term.
“This is often the case in clinical trials for chronic diseases — the benefit is better appreciated when the treated patients are followed over a longer period of time, so it is hard to say when the drug is newly released just how much benefit we can expect to see over the long term,” Purvis, who also was not involved in Green’s care, told Fox News Digital.
“We can speculate that because the drug targets the DNA, it could be curative if given early enough, but these trials have not been conducted yet.”
RARE DISEASE DIAGNOSIS STRENGTHENS BOND BETWEEN TWIN SISTERS: ‘DOING OUR BEST’
There have been some side effects seen in a small number of patients who have taken QALSODY.
“Approximately 7% of those treated with QALSODY in the clinical trial had serious side effects, including myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord), radiculitis (nerve pain), increased intracranial pressure and some others,” Miller shared with Fox News Digital.
Green is pictured hugging her son during one of his hockey games. Green She said her medication has allowed her to participate in her children’s sports competitions, graduations and other milestones. (Raziel Green)
Some rare effects included severe headaches, weakness and sensory loss, according to Purvis.
“Finally, we do not know the long-term consequences decades down the line after we expose patients to these therapies, simply because they have not been around long enough,” he added.
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“Current data, however, seems to tell us that the therapies are safe long-term.”
Stephanie Fradette, Pharm.D., head of the neuromuscular development unit at Biogen (maker of QALSODY), noted that in the Phase 3 VALOR study, QALSODY-treated participants experienced a 55% reduction in plasma neurofilament levels, a marker of neurodegeneration, compared to a 12% increase in placebo-treated participants.
Today, Green uses a cane full-time and a wheelchair for long distances — but given that her symptoms have not worsened, she is still able to do many of the things she enjoys.(Raziel Green)
“As we look ahead at what’s next for ALS research, our work in SOD1-ALS has shown that it is possible to slow the devastating neurodegeneration that occurs in this disease,” Fradette told Fox News Digital.
“We are continuing to apply lessons from our recent research in SOD1-ALS, as well as research we have done over the last decade, to help us bring safe and effective therapies to the broader ALS community.”
‘Hope to keep going’
Green expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to take QALSODY, which has now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is available to anyone diagnosed with this specific gene mutation.
“I can still travel. I can still get myself up. I am still independent in my daily activities.”
Every 28 days, Green goes to receive the medication.
Today, she is somewhat limited in her mobility. She uses a cane full-time and a wheelchair for long distances — but given that her symptoms have not worsened, Green is still able to do many of the things she enjoys.
“The benefit is better appreciated when the treated patients are followed over a longer period of time,” one doctor said. Green, pictured here with her son, said neurologists see no difference in her condition since she began taking QALSODY.(Raziel Green)
“I can still travel. I can still get myself up. I am still independent in my daily activities,” she told Fox News Digital. “I still go to the gym once in a while, when accompanied by someone.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Green has also been able to participate in her children’s sports competitions, graduations and other milestones.
The medication has given Green — and other patients with the same gene — “hope to keep going,” she said.
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“And it gives my kids the opportunity to get tested and to have this medicine as a preventative treatment,” Green went on. “That was the main goal for me — to stay stable going forward after receiving the treatment.”
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
refurbished laptops have a different 2nd hand laptop price
Refurbished laptops often have a different 2nd hand laptop price compared to regular used laptops, primarily due to the restoration process and quality assurance they undergo. While both refurbished and standard second-hand laptops are pre-owned, refurbished models are professionally inspected, repaired, and restored to a functional condition before being resold. This process typically includes thorough testing, component replacement, and cosmetic improvements, making refurbished laptops more reliable and appealing. As a result, they generally command a slightly higher second-hand laptop price than unrefurbished counterparts, but they also offer better value due to their enhanced quality and performance.
The 2nd hand laptop price of refurbished devices is influenced by several factors, including the extent of refurbishment, the brand, and the model. Laptops from premium brands such as Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo often have a higher refurbished price because they retain their value and are in greater demand. For instance, a refurbished MacBook or Dell XPS with upgraded components or replaced batteries will cost more than a non-refurbished version with visible wear and potential functional issues. On B2B platforms like Global Sources, buyers can compare the prices of refurbished and standard second-hand laptops from various suppliers in China, India, Korea, and other countries. The platform makes it easy to spot deals and assess the price difference based on the device’s condition and refurbishment quality.
One of the reasons refurbished laptops have a different 2nd hand laptop price is the added assurance and warranty they often come with. Many refurbished devices include limited warranties or guarantees, which provide buyers with protection against defects or malfunctions. This added security makes refurbished laptops more attractive, especially for business buyers or individuals seeking reliable devices. While refurbished models may be priced slightly higher, the warranty and improved condition often make them worth the investment, as they reduce the risks associated with buying standard used laptops.
Do refurbished laptops have a different 2nd hand laptop price?
Refurbished laptops also differ in 2nd hand laptop price due to their cosmetic condition. During the refurbishment process, technicians often replace or clean external components, such as the keyboard, trackpad, and casing, giving the laptop a near-new appearance. Laptops with minimal cosmetic flaws tend to sell for higher prices than those with visible scratches or dents. On platforms like Global Sources, sellers often provide detailed descriptions and images, allowing buyers to assess the cosmetic condition and justify the price difference between refurbished and standard used laptops.
For buyers seeking wholesale deals, refurbished laptops can offer better long-term value despite their slightly higher 2nd hand laptop price. Businesses that purchase in bulk often benefit from the consistency and reliability of refurbished laptops, reducing the risk of receiving faulty or low-performing devices. B2B platforms streamline this process by offering bulk pricing and access to multiple verified suppliers, making it easier for buyers to find cost-effective deals.
In conclusion, refurbished laptops generally have a different 2nd hand laptop price due to the restoration process, improved condition, and added warranties. While they may cost slightly more than regular used laptops, they offer better reliability, performance, and peace of mind. By using platforms like Global Sources, buyers can compare prices, evaluate refurbishment quality, and make informed purchasing decisions, ensuring they get the best value for their money in the second-hand laptop market.
Weddings are all about celebration, sleepless nights, food, clothes and great makeup. But all the excitement leaves us with dull skin and rough hair. Hence, when you plan a well-deserved break after the big day is over, focus on reviving that glow with proper detoxification. Fret not, you do not need to go the extra mile to restore your skin and hair health. Instead, all you need to do is go for a nourishing diet, while diving into relaxation mode. Here we have a simple post-wedding detox guide that will help you look and feel your best yet again. Let’s take you through.
Also Read: How To Control Your Meal Portion At Indian Wedding? Watch Viral Video
Post-Wedding Detox: Here Are 6 Pro-Tips To Revive Your Skin And Hair:
1. Hydration is the key:
The first step towards healthy hair and skin is including enough moisture. And it should start inside out. Stress, unhealthy diet and sleepless nights often lead to dehydration, affecting your skin and hair health. We suggest including enough fluid and fruits and vegetables with high water content. Click here for some food suggestions.
2. Detox well:
To put it simply, add enough antioxidants to your diet. This nutrient helps prevent free radical damage to your body. It also helps flush out toxins from your body, promoting healthy functioning of your body. Click here for some antioxidant-rich food options.
Also Read: 7 Foods You Should Start Having Before Your Wedding For A Dazzling Bridal Glow
Photo Credit: iStock
3. Swear by protein:
Protein contains amino acids that work as the building blocks of collagen and keratin – crucial for promoting healthy skin and hair respectively. So, include enough protein in your diet to avoid rough skin, brittle nails and damaged hair. Here are some protein-rich food options for you.
4. Include healthy fats:
Healthy fats like Omega-3 help promote hydration and healthy cell functioning that further reduces inflammation in the body. This results in youthful skin, lustrous hair and overall good health. Click here for some Omega-3-rich food options.
5. Look for vitamins and minerals:
We suggest picking foods that are enriched with vitamins and minerals. These micronutrients help strengthen your immune system, contributing to good skin and hair health. Some essential vitamins and minerals include vitamins A, C, D, and E and minerals like zinc, selenium, iron and more. Here are some food options for you.
Also Read: How To Eat Healthy During Wedding Season: 5 Easy Tips And Tricks
Photo Credit: Canva
6. Eat light for good sleep:
What you eat directly affects your sleep cycle. So, after all those indulgences at the wedding party, we suggest going for light, fulfilling meals that can promote metabolism and prevent any kind of irritation in the body. All these factors will further help you enjoy a good night’s sleep and reduce stress in the body. Find here some food options that will help you catch up with your precious sleep.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-17/Chinese-Foreign-Ministry-Complete-reunification-of-China-inevitable-1BOXmgmVVMA/img/78f3788b5f2345d881b25bb0fce551a7/78f3788b5f2345d881b25bb0fce551a7.png' alt='A file photo of Taipei's 101 skyscraper in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan region. /VCG'
The complete reunification of China is inevitable, and seeking “Taiwan independence” through foreign support is doomed to failure, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday.
The spokesperson made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities’ plan to promote the establishment of new institutions in certain countries and use “Taiwan” instead of “Taipei” to name these institutions.
Mao said that the one-China principle is a universally recognized norm governing international relations and a consensus in the international community, and it serves as China’s political foundation to establish and develop relations with other countries.
“The government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China. Taiwan has never been a country. It never was, and never will be,” the spokesperson said.
For some time, under the guise of exchange and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science, technology, culture and education, DPP authorities have been trying to break the international community’s adherence to the one-China principle and expand the so-called international space by attempting to establish new institutions in certain countries or rename existing ones, she said.
Mao warned the DPP authorities that the complete reunification of the country is inevitable and that seeking “Taiwan independence” through foreign support is doomed to failure.
“China always firmly opposes any form of official exchange between Taiwan authorities and any country that has diplomatic relations with China,” Mao said.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
POPULARAN proizvođač tenisica New Balance priprema lansiranje modela 1906U u novoj kombinaciji boja Raincloud/Slate Grey/Magnet. Lansiranje je zakazano za travanj 2025. Ova kombinacija boja donosi svjež pogled na klasičnu siluetu ovih tenisica i naglašava njihovu funkcionalnost.
Tenisice izgledaju pomalo retro s diskretnim požutjelim efektom koji imitira izgled prirodnog starenja materijala.
Neutralni sivi tonovi naglašavaju retro izgled tenisica
Model 1906U zapravo je unaprijeđena verzija modela 1906. Kombinira moderne materijale s dekonstruiranim dizajnom. U ovom kontekstu to znači da tenisice namjerno izgledaju nedovršeno i pomalo neuredno kako bi izgledale iznošeno.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Neutralni tonovi sive skladno se uklapaju u poznatu Raincloud paletu boja, koju su proslavile brojne suradnje i popularna izdanja brenda. Ovim izdanjem New Balance nastavlja spajati nostalgičan izgled i suvremenu izradu pružajući idealne tenisice za svakodnevno nošenje.
Tenisice će biti dostupne u travnju po cijeni od 130 američkih dolara, što je otprilike 120 eura, no cijena za EU još nije potvrđena.
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Next week, top-ranked Corona baseball begins the Boras Classic in Orange County. This week, the Panthers are playing Norco in a three-game league series. So far, it’s been perfection for Corona (5-0).
No one has been better than star pitcher Seth Hernandez. He entered Monday having struck out 15 with no walks and no runs in eight innings. Against Norco, he hit a three-run home run and struck out 12 and gave up two hits and a walk over five innings in a 9-0 victory over Norco in the Panthers’ Big VIII League opener.
Anthony Murphy also homered for the Panthers. Ethin Bingaman and Brady Ebel each had two hits.
Corona Centennial 7, Corona Santiago 6: The Huskies, trailing 6-0, scored five runs in the fifth inning, one in the sixth and got a walk-off bases loaded walk in the seventh to win the Big VIII League game. Mason Lear had a three-run double.
King 5, Eastvale Roosevelt 4: A three-run sixth inning helped King win.
Castaic 6, West Ranch 4: Freshman Orion Gonzalez contributed a home run, double, single and four RBIs to help Castaic win its Foothill League opener. Gio Foster also homered. Ty Diaz led West Ranch with three RBIs.
Sylmar 13, San Fernando 1: The Spartans opened Valley Mission League play with an impressive win. Victor Espinoza and Martin Magana each had two RBIs. Alex Martinez struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings and had three RBIs.
Sun Valley Poly 10, Kennedy 0: Mark Cesena allowed one hit and struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings for Poly. Gael Garcia had two hits and three RBIs.
Fullerton 3, Villa Park 2: Playing at Angel Stadium, Miguel Velasquez of Fullerton hit a memorable first-inning home run for Fullerton. Declan Fitzgerald struck out eight in six innings for Fullerton.
Calabasas 11, Taft 1: Connor Pink hit two home runs to lead Calabasas. Luc Olson threw five scoreless innings.
Banning 4, Carson 0: Anthony Camarena threw six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and also had two hits for Banning in the Marine League win.
San Pedro 13, Narbonne 5: The Pirates won their Marine League opener. Anthony Solis hit two doubles and had five RBIs and Braydon Griffin finished with three hits.
Granada Hills 10, Newbury Park 2: Tristan Jennings had three hits and Anthony Castro and Landon Tuch each had three RBIs for Granada Hills.
Royal 14, Oak Park 2: Brady Hewitt and Isaiah Tillman each had two hits and three RBIs for Royal.
Summit 10, Beckman 0: Isaac Castanon had a home run and three RBIs for Summit.
Softball
Los Altos 6, Simi Valley 1: Freshman Kaylahni Duenas struck out nine for 6-1 Los Altos.
Chaminade 11, Oak Park 4: Norah Pettersen hit a home run and had three RBIs for Chaminade.
If you are curious about how much you would need to spend for Dia Mirza’s luxurious stay experience immersed in idyllic nature, here’s what you need to know.
Actor Dia Mirza immersed herself in nature at a serene retreat in Rajasthan on a recent trip with her son Avyaan Azaad Rekhi, who was born in July 2021. She took to Instagram on Sunday to share a glimpse into her stay at Aaramgah Jawai Resort and Spa. She gushed about the ‘sustainable’ property located in Kotra village. Also read | Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Raha rang in New Year 2025 at a truly extravagant resort in Thailand with room rates to match
Dia Mirza with son Avyaan Azaad Rekhi during a stay at Aaramgah Jawai Resort and Spa. (Instagram/ Dia Mirza)
Dia Mirza can’t wait to be back
She wrote in her caption, “We were at the breathtaking Jawai in Rajasthan last week for a very special mission. More about that soon! But first, deepest gratitude to @aaramgahjawai for the exceptional hospitality and the measures being taken towards making this property in Jawai sustainable. The special attention to detail and the delicious meals made our stay all the more enjoyable. We hope to back again soon!”
All about the property
This resort is nestled in a serene environment, offering a tranquil getaway amidst nature. Guest rooms and luxury villas with outdoor plunge pools and serene gardens, and restaurant offering gourmet cuisine, including traditional Rajasthani and international dishes, are some of the highlights of Aaramgah Jawai Resort and Spa. Some of the other facilities available at Aaramgah Jawai Resort and Spa include guided wildlife tours, cultural excursions, archery, and badminton.
What are the per-night rates?
According to Radissonhotels.com, a night’s stay at the serene property, which is a member of Radisson Individuals Retreats, starts from ₹17,151. The resort is the ideal destination for those seeking wellness and adventure or to spend some time in the lap of nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
“During your stay, indulge in a vibrant variety of gourmet dining options, including traditional Rajasthani cuisine and international dishes, prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Feel rejuvenated with a treatment at the on-site spa or join our exclusive safaris, providing the opportunity to witness leopards, migratory birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat,” Radissonhotels.com described the stay.
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News / Lifestyle / Travel / How much does it cost to stay at ‘breathtaking’ resort from Dia Mirza’s dreamy Rajasthan trip? For just 1 night…
The Nintendo Switch 2 will reportedly benefit from AI upscaling when it launches later in 2025.
A newly discovered patent has seemingly shed light on Nintendo’s plans to use technology capable of improving visuals on the Switch 2.
As you can see from the patent filing further down the page, the technology will be able to convert images through the use of a trained neural network. The use of this technology would allow the Nintendo Switch 2 to transform 540p images into 1080p.
Not only could this massively benfit retro Nintendo games and original Switch games on the Switch 2, but it would make games look better in handheld mode.
Share by Mike Odyssey on X (via TechRadar), the technology is not dissimilar to NVIDIA’s DLSS upscaling, or PSSR for the PS5 Pro.
It will be fantastic to see the technology used in older Nintendo games, potentially with the rumoured Gamecube releases coming to Switch 2.
Fans should find out for sure when the Nintendo Switch 2 is showcased in full during the upcoming Direct conference.
The imminent Nintendo Direct takes place at 2pm GMT on April 2. Nintendo will use the presentation to announce the release date for the Switch 2, confirm the price and show off some of the upcoming games.
Judging by the Switch 2 announcement trailer, Mario Kart 9 appears to be in development for the console at launch.
Better yet, it looks like Mario Kart 9 could support 24-person multiplayer, which should lead to some chaotic races.
It’s also pretty likely that Metroid Prime 4 will be available as a cross-gen game for the Switch and Switch 2 when it launches later this year.
As for the price, the general consensus is that the console will cost $399 in the US, barring any surprise tariffs.
James is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Before joining CarExpert.com.au in 2020, James has worked at leading auto media outlets including Carsales and CarAdvice, as well as at Pulse agency for Ford Australia’s communications team. In 2019 James made Mumbrella’s ‘Top 20 most prolific web authors in Australia’ list after publishing 1,360 articles between March 1, 2018 and February 28, 2019 for CarAdvice. James is also an Ambassador for Drive Against Depression – an Australian charity whose mission is to support mental wellness through the freedom of driving and a shared love of cars.
Audi says the layoffs, agreed by management and labour representatives, should save the carmaker 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) per year in the medium term.
Audi Layoffs.
German luxury carmaker Audi has said it will cut as many as 7,500 jobs in the European country by 2029 in an effort to improve its flagging profitability. The layoffs, which is roughly 14 per cent of the brand’s German workforce, will mainly affect areas like administration and development.
The layoffs will not affect factory workers, Volkswagen AG’s Audi said on Monday (March 17, 2025). The carmaker plans to invest around €8 billion ($8.7 billion) in its German locations during that period.
The planned measures, agreed on Monday by management and labour representatives, should save the carmaker 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) per year in the medium term, it said, adding it was investing a total of 8 billion euros in its German sites in the coming four years.
The cuts at Audi bring layoffs currently planned across the Volkswagen Group to just under 48,000: VW has unleashed a cost-cutting programme involving 35,000 job cuts, Porsche, plans to cut 3,900 jobs, and software unit Cariad aims to slash around 1,600.
Audi has already cut around 9,500 production jobs since 2019, a move it said at the time should free up billions of euros to fund its shift to EVs and boost margins to 9-11%.
But the brand has fared poorly in recent years, with its operating margin crashing to 4.5% in the first nine months of 2024 from 7% in the same period of the previous year due to weak sales in its key markets and the cost of ceasing production, opens new tab at its struggling Brussels plant. It is reporting its full-year annual results for 2024 on Tuesday.
Audi Chief Executive Officer Gernot Döllner, said, “Audi must become faster, more agile and more efficient… What’s clear is that this won’t be possible without staff adjustments.”
Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume is pushing for cost cuts across the group to become more competitive. Late last year, the CEO struck a deal with unions to cut staff and capacity at the namesake VW brand.
Audi’s deliveries fell 12 per cent last year as the premium carmaker struggled in markets including China. The reductions at the brand will happen without firings.
(With inputs from agencies)
News business Layoffs: Audi To Cut 7,500 Jobs Or 14% Of Its Workforce In Germany By 2029
Pepe (PEPE), the popular and third-largest crypto meme coin, has successfully formed a bullish price action pattern, garnering significant attention from crypto enthusiasts. Today, March 18, 2025, as sentiment across the crypto landscape begins to shift and assets gain upside momentum, PEPE has reached the breakout level of its bullish price action pattern.
Pepe (PEPE) Technical Analysis and Upcoming Levels
According to CoinPedia’s technical analysis, PEPE has formed a bullish inverted head and shoulders pattern on the four-hour timeframe and is currently on the verge of a breakout. After the market witnessed upside momentum, the meme coin soared significantly and reached the breakout area.
Based on the recent price momentum, if PEPE breaks out of the pattern and closes a four-hour candle above the $0.0000075 level, there is a strong possibility it could soar by 40% to reach the next resistance level of $0.00001050 in the coming days.
Source: Trading View
In trading and investing, a successful breakout of an inverted head and shoulders pattern is always considered a bullish sign and often shifts overall market sentiment.
Expert Bullish Outlook
Looking at the bullish outlook, a crypto expert shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), featuring an eight-hour PEPE chart that appears to be breaching a falling wedge pattern. The expert also noted that if the meme coin successfully breaks out, PEPE could soar by 50% to 60% in the coming days.
Current Price Momentum and Over-Leveraged Levels
PEPE is currently trading near $0.00000733, registering a price surge of over 13% in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, its trading volume has soared by 45%, indicating heightened participation from traders and investors. Additionally, the chart has formed a bullish pattern and is poised for upside momentum.
With the bullish outlook, traders have been strongly betting on the long side, as reported by the on-chain analytics firm Coinglass.
Source: Coinglass
Data reveals that traders are currently over-leveraged at $0.00000693 on the lower side and $0.00000771 on the upper side, holding $4.85 million and $2.35 million worth of long and short positions, respectively. This on-chain data particularly confirms that bulls are currently dominating.
If you’ve got an Apple Watch, you may be eligible for a payout. Apple has agreed to a $20 million settlement after facing a class action lawsuit, and if your device is affected, you have until April 10 to submit a claim to secure your share.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleged that the batteries in first-generation, Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3 models could expand within their tight compartments, causing malfunctions. Apple has denied any wrongdoing but chose to settle the case.
Read more: Apple Launches New iPhone 16E for the Pocket-Sized Market
In a statement sent to CNET, Apple disputed the claims, stating that the Apple Watch is “designed to be safe and reliable.”
“This settlement applies to purchasers of Original Apple Watch, Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3, which are no longer available for purchase,” the company said in a statement. “While we strongly disagree with the claims made against these early generation Apple Watch models, we agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.”
Check if you qualify for the Apple Watch payout
To qualify for compensation, you must have owned an Original, Series 1, Series 2 and/or Series 3 Apple Watch model in the US and you also must have reported issues related to battery swelling, such as filing a complaint with customer service, between April 24, 2015, and Feb. 6, 2024.
How much money will you get?
The amount you receive will vary according to several factors. Compensation will likely range from $20 to $50, depending on the number of claims submitted.
Some eligible people will receive a notice via email or postcard informing them of their eligibility for a class payment, according to WatchSettlement.com.
The Apple Watch Series 3 is one of the models included in the settlement.
After visiting the settlement website, you’ll find a QR code. Scan it with an app or built-in camera option. Then, you can select how you’d prefer to receive your payment: physical check, electronic check, ACH transfer or virtual prepaid Visa or MasterCard.
If you did not receive a notice but still believe you’re eligible, you can file a claim via email.
By accepting the settlement payment, you waive your rights to pursue further legal action against Apple regarding the battery issue.
The American Cancer Society’s annual cancer trends report revealed a mix of news and statistics for 2025.
Cancer death rates have dropped 34% between 1991 and 2022, which the ACS attributes to early detection, smoking reduction and improvements in treatment.
While these numbers are encouraging, oncologists and cancer specialists still have concerns about some other factors.
CANCER DEATH RATES DECLINE YET NEW DIAGNOSES SPIKE FOR SOME GROUPS, SAYS REPORT
While the report shows continued progress on many fronts, certain areas remain of “significant concern,” Dr. Joshua Strauss, an attending hematologist and medical oncologist at Advanced Care Oncology and Hematology Associates of the Atlantic Medical Group in Morristown, New Jersey, shared with Fox News Digital.
Oncologists share which cancer trends most concern them for 2025.(iStock)
Below are some of the most concerning trends, according to experts.
1. Cancer deaths not improving in younger individuals
Cancer prevalence in younger individuals and adolescents has continued to rise, according to the report, with rates in teens slowly increasing by 0.7% each year.
Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death among children and adolescents — most commonly leukemia, brain cancer and lymphoma.
In 2025, the ACS estimates that 9,550 kids up to 14 years old and 5,140 adolescents aged 15 to 19 will be diagnosed with cancer, and that 1,050 children and 600 adolescents will die.
Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death among children and adolescents, according to ACS.(iStock)
Dr. Paul Oberstein, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist and section chief of GI Medical Oncology at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, reiterated that people below age 50 are seeing higher rates of cancer deaths.
“It’s shown in multiple cancers,” he told Fox News Digital. “I would say the biggest finding is in young women with breast cancer.”
PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT SURVIVAL DOUBLED WITH HIGH DOSE OF COMMON VITAMIN, STUDY FINDS
The prevalence of GI (gastrointestinal) cancers is also increasing among younger adults, including pancreatic and colon cancer.
Experts have varying hypotheses on why young people are being diagnosed more often, including diet, exposure to microplastics or other environmental triggers, according to Oberstein.
One medical oncologist pushed for more research across patients and institutions to “figure out what’s going on.”(iStock)
“We don’t have a good explanation, and we need to invest in discovering why this might be the case so that we can change it,” he said.
2. Cervical cancer continues to pose unnecessary threat
Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented, yet thousands of women are still at risk.
While cervical cancer incidence rates decreased by more than half from the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s due to screening uptake, these numbers have since stabilized, according to the report.
ALCOHOL LINKED TO CANCER RISK IN US SURGEON GENERAL’S NEW ADVISORY
A projected 13,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2025 and 4,000 will die, according to Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified obstetrician gynecologist in Dallas, Texas.
Cervical cancer risk and rates of mortality correlate to connectivity with a healthcare provider, one expert said.(iStock)
“Cervical cancer in women from 30 to 44 is increasing,” she told Fox News Digital. “But also, this is a cancer that has the potential to be eradicated, if not eliminated, because of us knowing the understanding of HPV and its prevalence in the disease.”
HPV (human papillomavirus infection), the most common cause of cervical cancer, can be detected through testing.
EXPERIMENTAL VACCINE FOR COMMON CANCER SHOWS POTENTIAL IN CLINICAL TRIAL
“We have innovation and technology that should be decreasing certain cervical cancer rates,” Shepherd said.
3. Some communities lack healthcare access
The ACS report found that Native Americans and Black people continue to die at higher rates than White people for several different cancers.
Among cervical cancer patients, the death rate in Black women and Native American women is 50% and 70% higher than in white women.
The five-year relative survival rate for cervical cancer in Black women is 58% compared to 67% of White women, the report found.
Black women are 50% more likely to die from cervical cancer than White women, the report found.(iStock)
This discrepancy in mortality rate is most likely due to lack of access to doctors and regular screenings, added Shepherd, who pushed for more research, awareness and public education.
“Cervical cancer is preventable through screening with the Pap plus HPV and co-testing,” she said. “If we had the ability to have more potential early detection, then we could see abnormalities in cells … before it actually gets to cancer and could take the time to address it.”
4. GI cancer diagnoses are worsening
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, such as pancreatic, liver, colorectal and stomach cancers, are all considered highly deadly.
The ACS report noted that colorectal diagnoses in men and women under the age of 65 have continued to increase.
Between 2012 and 2021, colorectal cancer incidence rates increased by 2.4% each year in people younger than 50 and by 0.4% per year in adults 50 to 64.
Colorectal cancer diagnoses in men and women under the age of 65 have continued to increase, according to ACS.(iStock)
Progress against pancreatic cancer is also trailing other cancers, according to the report, as incidence and mortality rates increase by 1% each year in men and women.
The ACS noted that in 2025, an estimated 67,440 new cases of pancreatic cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and 51,980 people will die from it.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
The death rate for pancreatic cancer has increased by 0.2% to 0.3% each year in men and women, and the five-year relative survival rate is 13%, which Strauss described as “dismal.”
Oberstein, a GI specialist, noted that these types of cancers “often have very poor outcomes,” although there have been some improvements in early detection and treatment over the last few decades.
Gastrointestinal cancers “often have very poor outcomes,” one oncologist cautioned.(iStock)
“The biggest benefit we’ve seen in terms of mortality comes from earlier detection of GI cancers,” he told Fox News Digital, adding that colon cancer has the best outcomes when detected early.
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“But we really need to double down on trying to detect stomach cancer, liver cancer and especially pancreatic cancer earlier in order to make a big difference,” Oberstein said.
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Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
Plastic food storage containers are commonly used in almost every kitchen. While plastic containers are not the best option, they are still popular as they are budget-friendly, lightweight and help organise your fridge better. But like everything else, they don’t last forever. Over time, plastic can degrade, absorb odours, and even become unsafe for food storage. Even if you love that old plastic container that you bought for the first time years ago, holding onto worn-out containers can put your health at risk and affect the taste of your food. So, how do you know it’s time to discard these plastic containers? Let’s find out.
Also Read: Why You Should Never Throw Away Food Delivery Boxes Without Doing This First
Photo: iStock
Here Are 5 Signs You Should Throw Away Your Plastic Containers
1. They Are Cracked
If your plastic container looks bent or out of shape, has visible cracks, or doesn’t close properly, then it’s time to say goodbye. The plastic container often becomes twisted or bent when it is repeatedly exposed to heat like in a microwave. Cracks and bends also harbour bacteria, making it difficult to clean properly. Plus, a damaged food container may leak or fail to keep your food fresh, destroying the whole purpose of storage.
2. They Have Stubborn Stains
Have you ever noticed how some plastic containers have the colour and smell of past meals? If your container permanently smells like curry or has an orange stain from masala-based dishes, it’s a sign that the plastic has absorbed food particles over time. While stains may not always mean the container is unsafe, lingering odours and discolouration mean that the plastic is breaking down.
3. The Lid Doesn’t Fit Properly
A loose or missing lid destroys the whole purpose of a storage container. If your container’s lid is cracked or bent or doesn’t close like it used to, it won’t create an airtight seal. This means your food is more likely to spoil quickly or might even spill in the fridge. Instead of using random lids in containers, try and invest in a fresh set that seals properly.
Photo: iStock
4. They Are More Than 5 Years Old
With frequent use and exposure to heat, plastic degrades over time. Older containers may develop tiny scratches, which makes them a breeding ground for bacteria. If your plastic food storage containers are more than five years old, it is best to inspect them for any wear and tear. Even if they look fine, switching to newer containers is the best choice.
5. They Aren’t BPA-Free
If your containers are made from older plastic that aren’t BPA-free, it’s best to discard them. BPA stands for bisphenol-A, a chemical found in some plastics that can leach into food, especially when heated. Many modern containers are labelled BPA-free, which makes them safer for food storage. Check the recycling code on the bottom of the container where it might indicate if the product is BPA-free or not!
Also Read: How To Clean Plastic Food Containers Using Common Kitchen Ingredients
Please note: These tips are to avoid using spoiled plastic containers which are harmful to health. However, according to the Paediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit US, plastic contains two chemicals – Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA), which help keep the shape of the containers. These substances are established as “endocrine disruptors”. Scientific evidence points out that these two compounds affect the functioning of hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Both are reproductive hormones and affect reproductive health and also have an impact on the growth and development of children.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-17/China-urges-G7-to-do-more-things-conducive-to-int-l-cooperation-1BOYEPswbTy/img/aa105d474191496bbdf15d8f9cb5dc55/aa105d474191496bbdf15d8f9cb5dc55.png' alt='Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a regular press briefing in Beijing, China, March 17, 2025. /Chinese Foreign Ministry'
China urged the G7 to stop undermining China’s sovereignty and interfering in China’s internal affairs, and do more things conducive to international solidarity and cooperation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday.
Mao made the remarks when asked to comment on the Statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the G7 Foreign Ministers Declaration on Maritime Security and Prosperity, which made irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and maritime issues, and expressed concerns over alleged provision of weapons and dual-use components to Russia by China, China’s so-called overcapacity and military build-up, etc.
The joint statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting and their declaration are a deliberate mischaracterization of the facts and truth, which seek to vilify China and interfere in China’s internal affairs, Mao said, noting that China strongly deplores and firmly rejects them and has lodged serious protests with relevant countries.
“The Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests, which brooks no external interference. The situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. Freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea has never been an issue,” said Mao, noting the G7 should stop sowing discord and provoking disputes.
China has all along been promoting talks for peace on the Ukraine issue, never provided lethal weapons to any party of the conflict, and exercised strict export control over dual-use articles, she said, adding that China absolutely rejects the G7’s blame-shifting.
Mao said that China always maintains its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security, and China’s defense spending is necessary to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, which are open, transparent, reasonable and appropriate.
It is out-and-out double standards for the G7 to say nothing about the U.S.’s responsibility in disarmament and the risks of nuclear proliferation posed by AUKUS, and choose to direct the issue at China instead, Mao said.
The so-called “Chinese overcapacity” narrative has been proven to be a false proposition, said Mao, urging G7 members to stop politicizing and weaponizing trade and economic ties and stop undermining the international economic order and destabilizing global industrial and supply chains.
China calls on the G7 to see the trend of history, discard the Cold War mentality and ideological bias, stop undermining China’s sovereignty and interfering in China’s internal affairs and stop stoking antagonism and bloc confrontation, Mao said.
Instead, she said, the G7 needs to focus on major issues, including addressing global challenges and promoting global development, and do more things that are conducive to international solidarity and cooperation.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
AKO ste pratili modne trendove ranih 2000-ih, sigurno se sjećate Balenciaga Motorcycle torbe – opuštenog modela koji su obožavale modne ikone tog doba. Sada, više od dva desetljeća kasnije, ovaj kultni komad se vraća u velikom stilu.
Povratak modnog klasika
Prvotno predstavljena 2001. godine pod kreativnim vodstvom Nicolasa Ghesquièrea, Balenciaga Motorcycle torba bila je pravo osvježenje u svijetu tadašnjih krutih i strukturiranih torbi. Iako je u početku brend sumnjao u njezinu privlačnost, Ghesquière je uspio proizvesti 25 primjeraka, koji su ubrzo postali omiljeni među modnim insajderima. Prekretnica u popularnosti dogodila se kada je supermodel Kate Moss počela nositi torbu.
Tijekom 2000-ih torbu su obožavale brojne zvijezde, poput Mary-Kate i Ashley Olsen, Nicole Richie i Lindsay Lohan. S njezinim karakteristično opuštenim izgledom, metalnim zakovicama i kožnom teksturom, Le City je bio nezaobilazan dodatak svakoj trendseterici.
Novi život za Le City
Balenciaga Le City sada doživljava preporod. Brend je lansirao moderniziranu verziju kultne torbe, a njezin povratak nije prošao nezapaženo. Poznate osobe poput Belle Hadid, Kaie Gerber i Tate McRae viđene su kako nose svoje primjerke posljednjih nekoliko tjedana, a torba je brzo postala hit na Instagramu i TikToku.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Novi model dolazi u raznim bojama i veličinama, ali zadržava prepoznatljiv izgled koji ju je učinio kultnom.
High street dupe verzije već su na policama
Kako popularnost Balenciaga Le City torbe raste, high street brendovi brzo su reagirali lansirajući pristupačne verzije inspirirane ovim kultnim modelom. Trgovine poput Stradivariusa i Bershke već imaju svoje varijante sličnih torbi.
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The SailGP 2025 season has competitors traverse conditions across five different continents over a year-long season, starting and ending in the United Arab Emirates.
The multi-nation championship series brings the world together to compete in a racing series that combines advanced technology and elite athletics.
Los Angeles is the first U.S. destination after holding the first two events in New Zealand and Sydney, respectively. Team USA had failed to race in Sydney after capsizing in the practice rounds, causing equipment failures that forced the team to withdraw from competition.
Race Day 1 challenged 12 teams fighting to put maximum points on the board. New Zealand ended race Day 1 atop the leaderboard as Canada and Australia round out the top three. Rockwool Denmark retired on Day 1 after a collision during the opening race.
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Los Angeles Times staff photographer Christina House had an inside look at how Team USA is preparing to compete in Los Angeles, and documents their time in and out of the water.
The U.S. SailGP Team prepares their boat to compete on Friday.
The U.S. team boat, at right, is lowered into the water beside the Spain team boat to compete in a practice race on Friday.
The U.S. SailGP team competes in a practice race on Friday.
Eric Springer of Long Beach shows his support for the U.S. on Saturday.
The race is reflected off the glasses of Chris Bartolommeo of San Diego as he watches the Rolex Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix during Race Day 1.
Teams compete in Race Day 1 on Saturday.
The New Zealand SailGP team competes during Race Day 1 at the Port of Los Angeles on Saturday.
Spain’s economy is getting a boost thanks to the country’s attractiveness for remote workers, according to central bank chief Jose Luis Escriva.
Here’s why Spain is the ultimate destination for remote workers in 2025.(Image by Verdin Property)
There are “a number of elements in the configuration of the European post-Covid economy that help us,” the Bank of Spain governor told Bloomberg TV in an interview. There’s a greater “ability to work now more remotely than in the past, and we are an attractive country for settlement and and that’s helping to produce services from Spain.”
Spain regularly features as one of the top destinations for digital nomads, thanks to factors including a new startup law aimed at boosting the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, zero taxation on foreign earned income, affordability, availability of high speed internet, and an environment ideal for technology and innovation.
Still, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s decision to propose a 100% tax on non-residents from outside the European Union buying houses in Spain — part of a broader attempt to confront a shortage — rattled confidence earlier this year.
Escriva, who took over as Spain’s top central banker in September, also zeroed in on home building, warning of a “potential bottleneck.”
“Housing is becoming a constraint over time, not only from a social dimension, but also from the labor market perspective,” he said in the interview, which was conducted March 14 in Madrid. “The deficit between the creation of homes and the need for houses for foreigners is going to increase a much faster pace that the production of houses.”
Escriva also highlighted that Spain is benefitting from the post-pandemic “shift in consumer preferences” like tourism, saying that it’s difficult to tell which of the trends are structural and which “genuinely transitory.”
Spain’s economy has grown at a far steadier clip than other large European Union nations in recent years but Escriva’s central bank recently raised the question of whether the country can continue to maintain a significantly higher growth rate than its two main trade partners, France and Germany.
As Stephen Graham continues to captivate audiences with his latest performance in Adolescence (2025 – Present) on Netflix, it’s clear that his career is as dynamic as ever.
Whether he’s playing the troubled antihero or a quiet, understated figure, Graham brings depth and authenticity to every role. With the series receiving critical acclaim, now is the perfect time to look back at his career.
The Virtues, a drama miniseries created by Shane Meadows, earned widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive and raw portrayal of trauma and redemption. The series follows Joseph (played by Stephen Graham), a man who is forced to confront the dark secrets of his past after a series of life events lead him to revisit painful memories. Graham’s performance is central to the success of the series, as he gives an emotionally charged portrayal of a man haunted by the ghosts of his childhood.
The series is a difficult but rewarding watch, as it explores issues such as abuse, guilt, and the struggle for personal redemption. Critics praised Graham’s raw and unflinching performance, which anchored the series’ exploration of deep emotional pain and the quest for healing. With a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, The Virtues is considered one of the finest examples of Graham’s work, and it remains one of the standout TV shows of 2019.
4. Save Me (2018 – Present) – 100% (Rotten Tomatoes)
In Save Me, Stephen Graham is part of an ensemble cast that includes Lennie James and Suranne Jones, in a gripping crime thriller centered around the disappearance of a young woman. The series follows Nelson (James), who is wrongfully accused of being involved in the crime, and his desperate search to uncover the truth and clear his name. Graham plays a key supporting role as a morally ambiguous character caught in the web of deceit and intrigue.
The series has received widespread praise for its tightly woven narrative, strong performances, and exploration of social issues. Graham’s portrayal of a complex character caught in the moral grey area of the story was particularly noted for its depth and nuance.
Adolescence has already garnered a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it for its raw and honest exploration of teenage life. The series follows a 13-year-old who was accused of murder, and the circle of people around him, navigating the complexities of growing up, dealing with issues such as identity, peer pressure, and mental health.
Stephen Graham’s performance as a father grappling with his relationship with his troubled teenage son is one of the show’s standout elements, adding an emotional depth to the series.
2. Boiling Point (2023 – Present) – 100% (Rotten Tomatoes)
The 2023 series Boiling Point has garnered significant praise for its relentless pace and tense atmosphere. Set in the high-pressure world of a London restaurant, Boiling Point follows head chef Andy Jones (played by Stephen Graham) as he navigates an increasingly chaotic workday filled with difficult customers, staff issues, and personal turmoil. Shot in real time, the show creates an immersive experience that feels like a high-stakes thriller. With a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, Boiling Point has been lauded for its exceptional writing, its depiction of life in the restaurant industry, and Graham’s standout performance.
1. Help (2021) – 100% (Rotten Tomatoes)
Help is a highly impactful drama set during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Stephen Graham delivering one of his most powerful performances. The film, which first aired on Channel 4 in 2021, focuses on the relationship between a care home worker (played by Jodie Comer) and an elderly resident (played by Ian Hart) as they navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Graham portrays a sinister character, Tony, in this emotionally charged film that explores the devastating impact of the pandemic on vulnerable individuals and healthcare workers.
Chinese carmaker JAC has launched its first model in the Australian market, the T9 dual-cab 4×4 ute, with customer deliveries commencing back in December last year.
Available in two turbo-diesel powered trim levels, the T9 is priced from $42,662 before on-roads in entry-level Oasis form. This sees it go up against a wide array of budget-priced dual-cab ute rivals like the GWM Cannon, KGM SsangYong Musso, and LDV T60 Max.
After initially claiming this ute would have a 3500kg braked towing capacity, JAC then revised this down to 3000kg. As a result of “further validation and certification testing” in late 2024, the T9 now has a 3200kg towing capacity, with a tow ball download rating of 320kg.
The wading depth is also down on what was originally claimed (650mm versus 800mm), though it has slightly more payload (1045kg versus 1000kg).
The JAC T9 is being distributed locally by LTS Auto and sold at over 60 dealerships nationwide. It’s being offered with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, plus seven years of roadside assistance, and seven years of capped-price servicing.
How does it stack up against strong competition? Read along to find out.
How does the JAC T9 compare?
View a detailed breakdown of the JAC T9 against similarly sized vehicles.
JAC
T9
How much does the JAC T9 cost?
JAC is offering two T9 variants at this stage. The low- to mid-$40,000 asking prices are similar to those at the lower end of the GWM Cannon, KGM SsangYong Musso and LDV T60 Max dual-cab 4×4 ute lineups, all of which recently received updates.
Model
Price before on-road costs
2025 JAC T9 Oasis
$42,662
2025 JAC T9 Haven
$45,630
To see how the JAC T9 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What is the JAC T9 like on the inside?
Stepping into the T9 is made easier by big steel side steps and chunky A-pillar grab handles, but like many high-riding dual-cab utes it’s still a fair hike up into the cabin.
Once you’re in, there is leather-accented seat trim that, in our top-spec Haven tester, was finished in black but can also be had in brown. All of the seats sounded squeaky when we first sat on them, especially the driver’s seat, which is positioned awkwardly.
This mightn’t be the case for everyone, but I couldn’t find a comfortable seating position. For my six-foot-plus frame, the driving position felt cramped due to the pedal placement, and although the driver’s seat offers six ways of electric adjustment, it lacked thigh support for me.
Another disappointing element of the driving position is that the steering wheel only offers tilt adjustment. Almost all utes now also offer reach adjustment, which makes it easier for people of different sizes and statures to get comfortable behind the wheel.
The steering wheel itself is inoffensive, with a two-spoke design and physical buttons that are easy enough to understand. The metallic finishes on the wheel look cool and break up the monotony of black finishes, but attract fingerprints easily as you frequently interact with the buttons.
Ahead of the driver is a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster that’s clear and concise, but a bit rudimentary. It displays all the critical information you need to know, including a large digital speedo readout.
You can cycle through informative pages for things like the engine revs, fuel consumption, and driving range, among others. But it’s a little annoying that you can’t have more information displayed at once.
Moving across, there’s a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s clearly the prominent focus of the interior. It’s mounted vertically, like in the top-selling Ranger, but while it looks pretty in terms of the hardware, its software looks and feels more aftermarket.
The user interface and menu layout aren’t the fanciest, but there are bright colours and large icons to click on. There’s also not a whole heap of depth to the system, so if you get lost it’s not hard to find your way back to the home screen.
As standard, only wired forms of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available through a USB-A port at the front of the centre console. Its connection is rock solid, which is to be expected with wired versions of smartphone mirroring.
We appreciated the physical buttons under the touchscreen for adjusting the single-zone climate control system. It’s a very similar layout to the Ranger’s, as there are additional buttons on the touchscreen for more climate-related functions.
In practice, the climate control system is good but perhaps too good, since the auto mode is a bit over the top and blows the fan very hard when you first turn the car on.
Looking around the cabin, there are some softer surfaces in high touch-point areas, like the armrests, but beyond them there is a sea of hard, scratchy plastic. This isn’t uncommon in the ute segment because, at the end of the day, it’s more about function than form here.
But if left out in the sun for a while, the interior of our T9 developed a very plasticky smell when we first hopped in. It was rather intoxicating and likely not the best air to breathe in, forcing us to air out the cabin by piping in fresh air via the climate control or by lowering a window.
There is a welcome lack of glossy piano black finishes around the cabin, though the material does feature around the air vents, where it shows up dust very quickly.
Like the steering wheel, there’s also a heap of metallic finishes on the dashboard and the centre tunnel. It shows up fingerprints very easily and looks grimy unless wiped clean frequently.
While there is plenty of physical switchgear on the centre console, a lot of it feels cheap and flimsy. The worst offender is the four-wheel drive selector dial, which has way too much play.
Storage up front is pretty good for a ute. The two cupholders have differing depths, plus there’s a wireless phone charger, a centre console box, a glove box, and door pockets big enough for water bottles.
Moving to the second row, the space on offer is surprisingly decent for a dual-cab ute. There’s easily enough room for adults behind adults, though having three across the bench seat would make things squishy. Apprentices or kids will be fine.
In terms of second-row amenities, there are air vents on the back of the centre console, USB ports, a 220V power plug, as well as a fold-down armrest with cupholders.
At the back, the tailgate opens and closes easily, though there’s no damping or assistance. It’s also part of the vehicle’s central locking system, which isn’t always the case with dual-cab utes.
Our tester was equipped with the soft tonneau cover, which is an optional accessory. It’s a little fiddly to use because the sides are secured by velcro, which may wear out, and there are cross braces that fall into the tub unless you put tension on the cover in a certain way.
As standard, the T9 comes with a spray-in tub liner, which is nice to have because you don’t have to worry as much about scuffing the metal in the tub. However, the finish of the tub liner in our tester left a bit to be desired.
Other tub-related amenities include some tie-down points and a steel sports bar for aesthetics.
Dimensions
JAC T9
Length
5330mm
Width
1965mm
Height
1920mm
Wheelbase
3110mm
Tub length
1520mm
Tub width
1590mm
Tub height
470mm
To see how the JAC T9 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
This ute is powered exclusively by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that’s mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.
Specifications
JAC T9 Haven
Engine
2.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel
Power
120kW
Torque
410Nm
Transmission
8-speed auto
Drive type
Part-time 4×4 (2H, 4H, 4L)
Fuel economy (claimed)
7.6L/100km
Fuel economy (as tested)
9.1L/100km (650km driving)
CO2 emissions (claimed)
202g/km
Fuel tank
76L
Weight (kerb)
2055kg
Payload
1045kg
Braked towing capacity
3200kg
Gross vehicle mass (GVM)
3100kg
Gross combination mass (GCM)
5630kg
To see how the JAC T9 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the JAC T9 drive?
You press a button to the left of the steering wheel to start up the JAC T9, and then you get a grumbly four-cylinder diesel engine note. That’s fairly common for a ute, and the engine in the T9 doesn’t vibrate the cabin as much as others can when cold.
To take off, you either pull the gear selector forward for reverse or backward for drive while holding a button on the side, which is fairly intuitive, though the latter is positioned close to the park button.
Once on the move, there’s adequate power but little more. You’ll be keeping up with traffic from the lights, but don’t expect to get ahead. At the end of the day, you have to remember this is a relatively low-output 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel moving this two-tonne dual-cab ute.
If you push the accelerator a little harder, the engine starts to sound laboured and will let you know it’s working hard. Despite this, acceleration still feels decent from behind the wheel, but it won’t blow you away. There are quicker four-cylinder diesel utes out there.
Across the range, a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, and it’s the best part of the T9 powertrain. It shifts gears in a silky smooth way, which makes for comfortable (if docile) acceleration.
The way it operates is reminiscent of the Ranger, as it shifts up gears as soon as possible to minimise fuel consumption and to lean on the turbocharged torque. It’s also happy to drop a gear or two to keep the revs up while accelerating up a hill, or to deliver some engine braking when coasting downhill.
The ride is very utilitarian and ute-like. That’s not unexpected, as like almost all of its rivals this ute has a leaf-spring rear suspension setup, which is geared more towards load carrying than on-road comfort.
However, the front end can get a little bouncy on continuous undulations, which contrasts the stiff rear end. Overall, ride quality is nowhere near as comfortable as a Ranger’s, but it’s not as rough as some utes, like the Toyota HiLux.
There are three different settings to choose from when it comes to steering feel. I stuck with the normal ‘Comfort’ mode setting because it felt the most natural, even though it erred on the lighter side. Regardless of the mode, the steering feels direct, which isn’t always the case with utes.
Although the steering makes the T9 feel nimble, it can’t disguise its overall heft. This is most apparent when it comes to parking this 5.3m-long beast. Thankfully, there are front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera with decent but not outstanding quality.
Once you get out on the open road, this ute will comfortably get up to higher speeds while unladen and happily cruise at speeds above 80km/h in eighth gear. If you need more acceleration, it’ll slot back to seventh and get things moving along quicker, though the engine note gets more gruff.
This is a comfortable highway tourer that will hold its position on the road confidently and with ease. There also isn’t as much wind or tyre roar as you’d expect, given this is a dual-cab ute.
Although we didn’t get to take the T9 off-road or tow anything this time around, CarExpert founder Paul Maric did chuck around 900kg of load into the tray for an upcoming comparison video. He found the T9 worked well with it, but for more information you’ll have to wait until the full video comes out on YouTube.
It’s on the safety front where this ute is let down, like a few other Chinese vehicles.
As standard, there is adaptive cruise control, but it is one of the most infuriating systems I’ve ever experienced. When you activate it at 80km/h, for example, the transmission changes down to seventh gear, which is unnecessary as the engine revs more than it needs to.
You can fix this by pressing on the accelerator slightly, which then gets the car to change up to eighth gear, where it should have stayed in the first place. Annoyingly, the moment you let off the accelerator, it dips back to seventh.
Even more infuriating is the fact the ute struggles to maintain the set speed, constantly dipping below and above it. I was able to manage my speed considerably better than the cruise control could, which is disappointing because systems like this are meant to make long-distance driving easier, not more frustrating.
I hate to keep harping on the point, but the adaptive cruise control also tends to brake heavily when it detects a car ahead and keeps a sizeable gap, even on the closest setting. This is a common trait with many Chinese vehicles.
The T9’s lane-keep assist is generally fine, but at times it can unexpectedly jerk at the steering wheel, though I’ve experienced much worse.
There’s also Intelligent Cruise Control, which combines the adaptive cruise control and lane centring, but I’d avoid using this as it’s too hands-on with its steering inputs. And as I’ve already said, the adaptive cruise isn’t great.
The bad news continues on the T9 safety front, as it’s a victim of sounding many bings and bongs for different systems.
Some of the most annoying systems are the speed limit assist, which often reads speed signs incorrectly and tells you off for speeding when you’re not, and the driver attention monitoring, which can go off if you’re doing a head check before changing lanes.
Thankfully, the chime isn’t the most annoying I’ve heard, and the volume can be turned down, but a lot of the systems default to on every time you drive the vehicle.
On the upside, the T9 comes with great LED headlights, which are nice and bright. This is helpful is you drive on dimly lit roads, or live in a rural area.
Like many cars, there’s a ‘Follow Me Home’ function that keeps the lights on after you lock the car for a certain period. In the T9, however, it activates the high-beams, which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, since as you could dazzle other cars if you’re parked on the street. Thankfully, if you don’t like it, you can turn it off using the touchscreen.
Off-road dimensions
JAC T9
Track front and rear
1610mm
Ground clearance
210mm
Approach angle
27 degrees
Departure angle
23 degrees
Wading depth
650mm
To see how the JAC T9 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
JAC is offering two trim levels of the T9 at launch.
2025 JAC T9 Oasis equipment highlights:
18-inch alloy wheels
Sports bar
Automatic LED headlights and running lights
Front and rear fog lights
10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
7.0-inch trip computer display
Wireless phone charger
Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
Automatic wipers
Leather-accented interior trim and wheel
Powered driver’s seat adjustment
Climate control air-conditioning
Spray-in tub liner
Iron “off-road side steps”
Rear air vents
T9 Haven adds:
Exterior puddle lighting
Front parking sensors
Roof rails
Privacy glass
Auto-folding side mirrors
Auto-dimming interior mirror
Surround-view camera
Heated front seats
Powered passenger seat
USB-C port for rear passengers
Rear 220V accessory port
Chrome door mirrors
Black or brown interior options
To see how the JAC T9 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
Is the JAC T9 safe?
The JAC T9 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2024.
Category
JAC T9
Adult occupant protection
85 per cent
Child occupant protection
87 per cent
Vulnerable road user protection
87 per cent
Safety assist
89 per cent
Standard safety equipment highlights:
Forward collision warning
Autonomous emergency braking
Lane-keeping assist
Emergency lane keeping
Driver attention monitoring
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear collision warning
Exit warning
Rear parking sensors
Reversing camera
T9 Haven adds:
Front parking sensors
Surround-view camera
To see how the JAC T9 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How much does the JAC T9 cost to run?
The JAC T9 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with seven years of roadside assistance and seven years of capped-price servicing.
Servicing and Warranty
JAC T9
Warranty
Seven years, unlimited kilometres
Roadside assistance
Seven years, unlimited kilometres
Service intervals
12 months, 15,000km
Capped-price servicing
Seven years, 105,000km
Total capped-price service cost
$3069
Average capped-price service cost
$438
To see how the JAC T9 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the JAC T9
This new Chinese dual-cab ute is entering a fiercely competitive and extremely popular market segment, and what it offers as a package doesn’t reinvent the wheel.
What stands out is the T9’s appealing asking price, but the dual-cab 4×4 ute scene has moved on a fair bit in recent times, especially at the budget end.
There are now plenty of cut-price and fully featured rivals, including the GWM Cannon and KGM SsangYong Musso, both of which are priced closer to $40,000 drive-away. They both also offer more power and also a segment benchmark 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, which is something the T9 cannot match.
That’s not surprising, given the T9 is powered by a low-output 2.0-litre turbo-diesel while many carmakers are now introducing bi-turbo or larger-displacement turbo-diesel engines in their dual-cab utes.
However, the T9 still does a good job of getting around with minimal fuss, which is testament to how good the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission is.
Another thing that jumps out about the JAC T9 is the generous amount of standard equipment, especially given its price point. However, a lot of the cabin finishes are cheap, and the digital user interfaces look aftermarket. The lack of telescopic steering wheel adjustment is also crook in this age, and will prevent many from getting comfortable behind the wheel.
Speaking of standard equipment, the T9 is jam-packed with safety gear, but the way it operates leaves a lot to be desired. This ute does a lot of beeping and bonging, which can get very frustrating. And if they bug you, you need to turn off numerous systems in a touchscreen sub-menu every time you drive the ute.
Topping it off, the adaptive cruise control system is one of the most infuriating I’ve experienced in any vehicle to date. It holds lower gears when it doesn’t need to, isn’t able to keep a steady speed, and slows the vehicle down way too much when it detects a car ahead.
If you’re attracted to the JAC T9 because of its value, we strongly urge you to test drive some of its rivals before signing on the dotted line. There are plenty out there.
Interested in buying a JAC T9? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
Rahul Bajaj, a titan of Indian industry, passed away. His biography by Geeta Piramal highlights his Gandhian values and leadership of Bajaj Auto, a top two-wheeler manufacturer
Bajaj Auto even revived the Chetak in 2019 as an electric scooter. (PTI File)
Rahul Bajaj, a titan of Indian industry, passed away leaving behind a legacy intertwined with India’s economic landscape. His life, chronicled in the biography “Rahul Bajaj, Ek Bemisal Zindagi” by Geeta Piramal, reveals a man deeply shaped by his family’s close ties to Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian independence movement.
Despite his family’s traditional Marwari background, Bajaj’s upbringing instilled in him Gandhian values that would later influence his business practices. Under his leadership, the Bajaj Group, and Bajaj Auto in particular, reached new heights. Bajaj Auto secured its place as the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of two-wheelers and three-wheelers.
The book details pivotal moments, such as the rebranding of Bajaj scooters after the company’s partnership with Piaggio ended. Bajaj decided to use the family name for the company’s vehicles, a move that proved successful thanks to the brand’s strong reputation and a ten-year waiting list for their scooters.
The Bajaj Chetak, named after the legendary steed of Maharana Pratap Singh, became an iconic symbol of middle-class India. Its affordability and reliability made it a common sight on Indian roads. Owning a Bajaj Chetak was a status symbol, often sought after as dowry and even fueling a black market due to high demand.
However, the company’s commitment to the Chetak’s original design, despite growing competition and changing market trends, ultimately led to its discontinuation in 2005. Bajaj admits that the company failed to recognize the shift towards motorcycles in the late 1990s, a miscalculation that cost them market share.
Despite this setback, Bajaj Auto continued to thrive, ending 2021 with a market capitalization of Rs 1,00,670.76 crore ($13.6 billion). The company even revived the Chetak in 2019 as an electric scooter, demonstrating its ability to adapt and innovate.
Rahul Bajaj’s life story is a testament to his business acumen and the enduring legacy of a brand that has become synonymous with Indian mobility.
News business From 10-Year Waiting List To Sudden Exit: What Happened To Bajaj Chetak?
As Ethereum (ETH) continues to struggle with fluctuations in its price, which has been influenced by various factors including Bitcoin (BTC)’s ongoing dominance, DeFi’s growth, and external market events, investors are increasingly looking for alternatives that offer a different kind of potential. One such alternative is Coldware (COLD), a rising Layer 1 Web3 cryptocurrency that could be poised to challenge Ethereum’s dominance in the market.
The Emergence of Coldware (COLD) as a New Web3 Solution
Coldware (COLD) offers a promising new approach to blockchain technology, built on a Layer 1 protocol designed for Web3. By focusing on IoT integration and providing low-fee transactions with high scalability, Coldware (COLD) could provide the solutions that Ethereum (ETH) struggles to achieve. While Ethereum (ETH) is tied to smart contracts and DeFi, Coldware (COLD) is opening up a new frontier by focusing on real-world applications, making it a potentially disruptive force in the blockchain space.
With its Layer 1 technology and growing presence, Coldware (COLD) is drawing attention from investors and developers who are looking for a blockchain solution that is not only efficient but also scalable. As Coldware (COLD) approaches the final stages of its presale, it is gaining ground with those who feel that Ethereum’s (ETH) current limitations are hindering future blockchain advancements.
Ethereum’s Price and the Future of DeFi
Since its meteoric rise in 2021, Ethereum (ETH) has been deeply intertwined with the DeFi (Decentralized Finance) sector. Ethereum’s (ETH) technical advancements, such as the Berlin update and the Ethereum Merge, aimed at reducing transaction fees and improving scalability, drew a lot of interest. However, Ethereum’s (ETH) journey has not been without obstacles. In late 2022, Ethereum (ETH) faced a massive price dip, exacerbated by the collapse of FTX, which caused the coin to significantly drop from its high of $4,400 to $1,937.39 by March 2025.
Despite these setbacks, Ethereum (ETH) continues to be at the heart of the NFT and DeFi movements. It facilitates everything from decentralized lending to NFTs, but it has faced increasing scalability issues and high transaction costs. These factors have led investors to question whether Ethereum (ETH) can continue to lead the pack, or if new players, like Coldware (COLD), will take its place.
Could Coldware (COLD) Be the Next Big Thing?
While Ethereum (ETH) remains crucial in the current blockchain ecosystem, its slow pace of scalability improvements and high transaction costs may drive users and investors toward more scalable alternatives. Coldware (COLD)’s growing popularity, paired with its real-world use cases, suggests that it could be the new face of Web3 technology. Investors looking for something beyond the traditional DeFi model might find Coldware (COLD) to be the next big opportunity.
Conclusion: Ethereum’s Struggles and Coldware’s Potential
As Ethereum (ETH) continues to face challenges, Coldware (COLD) offers a new, forward-thinking solution for the next phase of blockchain development. While Ethereum (ETH) remains a major player in the blockchain space, its struggles with scalability and costs may leave the door open for Coldware (COLD) to emerge as the next big blockchain revolution.
Coldware’s (COLD) focus on IoT, low transaction fees, and scalability positions it to take advantage of the weaknesses in Ethereum’s (ETH) current infrastructure, making it an attractive option for the next wave of blockchain innovation. As Bitcoin (BTC) shows signs of resistance at $84,400, and with Ethereum (ETH)facing challenges, Coldware (COLD) could rise to meet the demand for a more scalable and efficient blockchain solution in the Web3 space.
For more information on the Coldware (COLD) Presale:
I see one mistake derailing marketing strategy again and again: Setting up marketing teams as internal agencies that serve cross-functional “customers” in other departments.
That’s a problem because it typically leads to reactive, disconnected efforts — even in the era of sophisticated AI, automation, data, and marketing analytics.
Sometimes, marketing teams try to incorporate strategic priority planning. However, those meetings tend to be derailed by internal stakeholders who want to dictate which themes or assets to prioritize.
As a result, the marketing calendar becomes a chaotic, siloed set of to-do lists fueled by ad hoc requests from multiple teams.
The marketing team turns into a production shop — pumping out assets like a high-speed printer — without a clear strategic direction.
The result? People burn out, ROI remains unclear, and businesses wonder why their marketing isn’t moving the needle.
So, when the inevitable marketing strategy reboot comes (and it always comes), how can you align the new approach with internal stakeholders’ expectations?
The answer is simple: Stop thinking of these folks as customers. I explain a better approach in the video above and in more detail in the article below.
Internal teams aren’t customers
Marketers often consider internal teams (sales, product marketing, PR, IT, executive leadership, etc.) as stakeholders. But ask anyone on your marketing team if they consider themselves stakeholders in sales, technology, or corporate communications, and you’ll likely hear, “Oh no, they’re our customers.”
That thinking is the root of the problem because it positions marketing teams as service providers rather than strategic partners.
I once worked with a global enterprise technology company whose marketing team existed solely to fulfill product marketing’s requests for thought leadership, sales collateral, and web copy.
But product marketing saw thought leadership as product one-sheets and case studies, not insight-driven narratives that would educate and inspire buyers.
Executives saw sales collateral as better pitch decks and case studies. All stakeholders thought of web copy as words that explain everything the company does in excruciating technical detail.
The result? The marketing team dutifully performed. Internal stakeholders loved the content. Actual customers? Not so much.
How to shift from service provider to strategic leader
Marketing teams succeed when they shift (or are enabled to shift) from being on-demand creators to strategic orchestrators of the brand’s voice.
This change often requires a complete adjustment in the company’s mindset. People stop thinking of marketing in terms of execution and start thinking about how it can lead to growth alongside other business functions.
Internal teams – stakeholders — are investors, not customers. They provide critical insight, direction, and assistance, but they shouldn’t dictate the marketing agenda. The most successful businesses treat the marketing team as an asset to be nurtured, managed, optimized, and leveraged for business growth.
Modern marketing requires specialized expertise, including a deep command of data analytics, behavioral psychology, technology, storytelling, revenue strategy, and real-time decision making.
Yet, too many organizations treat marketing teams like reactive service providers rather than strategic architects. So, what’s missing?
These essential elements set sophisticated marketing teams apart in 2025:
Investing in marketing operations (the missing strategic layer)
A key shift in 2025 is the rise (or perhaps the rebirth) of a more integrated role for marketing operations, a structured discipline that optimizes marketing creation, production, measurement, and distribution.
For the last decade, many marketing teams have tried to graft Agile development processes onto their marketing ops, hoping to replicate the success seen in software development.
Spoiler: It hasn’t worked all that well.
Marketing’s iterative loops rarely deliver a simple right-or-wrong outcome. Unlike coding, which either compiles or crashes, marketing success unfolds over time. Agile gets reduced to moving faster — prioritizing speed over strategy and iteration over creative insight. Teams break more things but don’t take the time to learn or adapt in ways that make breaking things worthwhile.
I see more successful teams embracing a structured but not rigid approach. They’re reviving marketing operations with intentional workflows, integrated tools, marketing analytics platforms, and generative AI-management systems to ensure smooth processes and unambiguous attribution of efforts to business outcomes.
Blending AI-driven insights with human wisdom
AI and automation are now central to marketing, providing data-driven insights that predict audience interests and identify high-value opportunities.
But here’s the thing — your organization isn’t the only one using AI. Thinking that AI gives you a competitive advantage today is like assuming your team was the only one with personal computers in the 1990s.
AI is a tool — not a differentiator or a replacement for the humans who use it.
The savviest marketing teams blend machine intelligence with human judgment. They leverage AI’s speed and scale while relying on human emotional intelligence and creativity to craft authentic, resonant stories. In other words, they use AI to shift their focus from routine execution to high-value strategic work.
Embracing emerging channels and media
In 2025, marketers aren’t just brand stewards — they’re futurists, mathematicians, and mad scientists rolled into one. They have to predict where audiences will be before they get there, analyze data patterns like Wall Street traders, and experiment with new formats like chemists in a lab. Successful content and marketing teams don’t just react to change; they anticipate and architect it.
That means proactively embracing emerging channels, such as custom AI learning models, immersive experiences, voice search optimization, short-form video, interactive micro-content, and even augmented reality.
This level of adaptability requires more than agility — it demands strategic investment in team expertise, talent retention, and a designed framework that allows for rapid experimentation while ensuring consistency across platforms.
These high-skill capabilities define modern marketing teams. But they don’t explain how to elevate marketing beyond being “the service department” (or, as one marketing director I know wryly puts it, “The Department of Words and Pictures”).
Align stakeholder investors in the marketing strategy
One of the biggest reasons marketing teams struggle for influence is that they’re seen as the doers, not the thinkers. C-suite execs take on the big strategic thinking or outsource it to an agency.
Few businesses give their marketing teams the space to develop strategic and creative muscles. Then, they wonder why marketing isn’t more strategic or creative. Execs put the marketing team in a box, then wonder why marketing can’t think outside it.
This isn’t only a perception problem — it’s also a structural one. If executive leadership won’t consider how marketing is positioned within the business, every effort to change it is just theater.
Even if the willingness to change exists, the shift from perceiving marketing as order takers to strategic leaders doesn’t happen passively. It requires a fundamental reset in how marketing teams engage with internal stakeholders.
Instead of treating them as customers to satisfy, marketing leaders must position those stakeholders as investors — partners with a real stake in marketing’s success.
Here’s how.
Segment your stakeholder-investors
Not all stakeholders carry the same weight or motivations. Understanding the key players in your organization lets you tailor your approach, build alliances, and anticipate resistance before it slows you down.
Influencers hold the political capital or control the budget, but they may not be directly involved in marketing. They can make or break your initiatives, so winning them over is critical — even if they don’t care about marketing itself.
Champions are your internal advocates — those who already believe in marketing’s strategic value. They’re often early adopters of new approaches and can help evangelize your vision across the company.
Detractors resist change either because they see nothing in it for them or because they fear losing control. Some will be vocal, while others will simply disengage. The key is to understand their underlying concerns and address them head-on.
Decision makers are the executives or department heads who approve major marketing initiatives. They need to see a direct connection between marketing initiatives and business outcomes.
Participants are actively involved in execution — whether in product marketing, sales enablement, or content creation. They’re the people who will live with the day-to-day impact of your strategy, so their buy-in is crucial.
Recognizing where each stakeholder fits helps you customize your messaging, anticipate objections, and build strategic alignment.
Design discussions, not interviews
Too many marketing teams approach stakeholder (investor) engagement as a checklist item, conducting interviews to gather input as if they’re waiters taking orders. The problem? This approach reinforces the idea that internal stakeholders are customers, which is the dynamic you’re trying to change.
Instead, think of these conversations as co-creation discussions structured by the type of investor they are. The goal isn’t just to gather information — it’s to uncover motivations, identify roadblocks, and shift perspectives. Ask questions that go beyond surface-level feedback, such as:
What does success look like for your team, and where does marketing fit into that?
What are the biggest challenges you’re facing that marketing could help solve?
What has and hasn’t worked in past marketing efforts?
Leading the conversation toward business outcomes shifts these discussions from transactional Q&A sessions into opportunities to reposition marketing as a strategic partner.
Remember, marketing leadership is a process, not a project
One of the biggest myths in corporate environments is that getting stakeholder buy-in is a one-time event. The reality? It’s an ongoing process. Even the most successful marketing leaders face continuous pressure to justify budgets, demonstrate impact, and evolve strategies to stay aligned with shifting business priorities.
To sustain marketing’s position as a strategic function, you need to:
Regularly communicate marketing’s impact in terms that matter to stakeholders — business growth, revenue contribution, efficiency gains.
Keep stakeholders engaged beyond the initial buy-in, involving them in ongoing discussions and strategy adjustments.
Be prepared to resell marketing’s value when leadership changes or business priorities shift.
Marketing isn’t a department that serves the business — it’s a function that drives it. But that only becomes true when marketing leaders take control of their positioning inside the organization.
Not all stakeholders are customers, but all customers are stakeholders
Customers are the most critical stakeholders in your marketing strategy, so don’t conflate them with internal teams that request marketing support.
As the strategist and author Eli Goldratt wrote, “Tell me how you measure me, and I will tell you how I will behave.” If your marketing team is measured by how well they serve internal requests, don’t be surprised when they behave like a service department.
The best marketing teams don’t serve stakeholders. They lead them. That’s how marketing drives sustained business impact in 2025 and beyond.
Your marketing strategy should evolve constantly — because your customers do.
It’s your story. Tell it well.
Updated from a September 2022 story.
Robert Rose consults and hosts workshops on helping marketing teams align their marketing processes to all kinds of technologies – including generative AI. Contact him to learn about those programs.
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Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute
Fast, dependable internet is a must-have today, and Lexington residents have several solid internet providers to choose from. There are options for everyone, ranging from budget-friendly plans to ultra-fast connection speeds. Kinetic by Windstream is CNET’s top pick for the best internet service provider in Lexington. The ISP has plans starting at $25 a month for speeds of up to 100 megabits per second, which is also the cheapest plan in the area. Kinetic delivers performance that’s decent for gaming or video calls. Spectrum is also a solid option, offering speeds up to 1,000Mbps throughout the Lexington area.
For those concerned about price hikes, T-Mobile Home Internet offers a price-lock guarantee that caps your monthly bill at $50 permanently. Metronet is another good fiber provider in the area, but Kinetic by Windstream offers a slightly better value overall.
Best internet in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
Kinetic by Windstream
Fiber
$25-$299
100-8,000Mbps
$10 (optional)
None
None
6.7
Kinetic by Windstream
DSL
$30-$60
15-50Mbps
$10 (optional)
None
None
6.7
Metronet Read full review
Fiber
$30-$50
100-1,000Mbps
$10 (optional)
None
None
6.9
Spectrum Read full review
Fiber
$50-$70
500-1,000Mbps
$10 (optional)
None
None
7.2
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans)
72-245Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Show more (0 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Lexington
Satellite internet: No matter where you live in the country, satellite internet is almost always available. However, speeds and prices are low, so it’s rarely your best option. Hughesnet and Viasat offer service to 100% of Lexington households, but we’d only recommend them if you can’t get anything else. Starlink offers faster speeds and lower latency, but you have to pay a high equipment cost of $599 upfront, and plans start at $120 per month.
Ivelin Denev / Getty Images
Cheap internet options in Lexington
Cheap internet plans are abundant in Lexington, with four different providers offering plans at $50 per month or less.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Lexington?
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
Metronet 100Mbps Read full review
$30
100Mbps
$10 (optional)
Kinetic by Windstream
$25
100Mbps
$10 (optional)
Spectrum Internet Ultra Read full review
$50
500Mbps
$10 (optional)
Metronet 500Mbps Read full review
$40
500Mbps
$10 (optional)
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans)
245Mbps
None
Show more (0 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Lexington
The best internet deals and top promotions in Lexington depend on the discounts available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Lexington internet providers, such as Spectrum and T-Mobile Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Kinetic by Windstream and Metronet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Lexington broadband?
According to Ookla speed test data, Lexington residents receive median download speeds of 225Mbps and upload speeds of 29Mbps, which are below the national average. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) It ranks 60th out of the 100 most populated cities in the country; behind Louisville (19th) and Nashville (47th), but ahead of Cincinnati (90th).
Fastest internet plans in Lexington
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
Kinetic by Windstream 8 Gig
$299
8,000Mbps
8,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Kinetic by Windstream 2 Gig
$100
2,000Mbps
2,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Metronet 1Gbps Read full review
$50
1,000Mbps
1,000Mbps
None
Fiber
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review
$70
1,000Mbps
35Mbps
None
Cable
Show more (0 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Lexington
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
This guide leverages an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our own writing and uses our database to generate content about specific internet service providers that our writers can use in determining and presenting our picks for a given guide. Check CNET’s AI policy for more information about how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.
Because our database is not exhaustive, we go to the FCC’s website to check the primary data for ourselves and make sure we’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we input local addresses on provider websites to find the specific options available to residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of our pre-publication fact-check.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Lexington?
Internet service in Lexington is in a good place. 98% of the city can access 250/25Mbps speeds, compared to 88% of the country, and fiber internet is available to 76% of households. The best is Kinetic by Windstream, but Metronet is another regional fiber provider offering similar value (just look out for those hidden fees). Kinetic offers the cheapest internet in the area, but only for the first year. After that, prices jump dramatically.
Internet providers in Lexington FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Lexington?
Kinetic by Windstream is the best internet service provider in Lexington, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds, low starting prices and unlimited data. Spectrum and Metronet are good backup options, but your price will increase dramatically after the promotional periods end.
Is fiber internet available in Lexington?
Yes, fiber internet is available in 76% of Lexington households, according to FCC data. Kinetic by Windstream and Metronet both offer fiber internet in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Lexington?
Kinetic by Windstream is the cheapest internet provider in Lexington, with plans starting at $25 per month for 100Mbps.
Which internet provider in Lexington offers the fastest plan?
Kinetic by Windstream offers the fastest internet plan in Lexington, with upload and download speeds of 8,000Mbps for $299 per month.
The average life expectancy in the U.S. is just over 78 years — but in certain countries and regions, more people make it past 100, seemingly without even trying.
What are the secrets of these pockets of the world — known as “blue zones” — where residents have not only more longevity, but more healthy years?
Dan Buettner, a Florida-based author, explorer and longevity researcher who first coined the term “blue zone,” embarked on a mission to find out.
WOMAN, AGE 107, HAS A FEW BIG SECRETS OF LIVING A LONG, HAPPY LIFE
“Only about 20% of how long you live is dictated by your genes,” he told Fox News Digital during an on-camera interview. “The other 80%, we reason we might find among the longest-living populations.”
Dan Buettner, a Florida-based author, explorer and longevity researcher who first coined the term “blue zone,” embarked on a mission to find the secrets of longer-living areas.(Fox News)
For the recent Netflix documentary “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” Buettner visited five destinations — Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California — to discover why they have the highest rates of living centenarians.
“We verified ages and found that in these areas, people were living about 10 years longer at middle age,” he said.
WWII VETERAN TURNS 100, REVEALS THE SECRETS OF A LONG, HEALTHY LIFE
“It’s because they’re not suffering from the diseases that are plaguing us, like type 2 diabetes. They’re not dying of cardiovascular disease prematurely, or dementia, and they have 40% lower rates of cancer.”
Buettner and his team of demographers and researchers investigated the lifestyle and environmental characteristics in these five areas to determine what people may be doing differently.
‘Healthy choice is easy’
“The big insight we learned from blue zones is that in places where people are actually living longer, it’s not because they try,” Buettner said.
“In America, we tend to pursue health. We try to identify the right diet or exercise program or supplement regimen — but our brains are hardwired for novelty.”
Studies have shown that people who wake up and have a sense of purpose, whether it’s a duty, a passion or an outlet, have greater health outcomes. (iStock)
“We’re constantly bombarded and bamboozled by new health news and people — and in blue zones, they never tried to live a long time.”
The reason for this longevity, according to Buettner, is that they live in environments where the healthy choice is easy.
Nutrition and exercise
One of the characteristics most blue zones share is their walkability, as people walk to work, school, friends’ homes or gardens.
“They’re getting 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day without thinking about it,” Buettner said.
Also, the cheapest and most convenient foods in blue zones are unprocessed.
“The big insight we learned from blue zones is that in places where people are actually living longer, it’s not because they try.”
“People in blue zones also eat healthier, as they consume primarily whole, unprocessed, plant-based foods,” Buettner noted.
The average American eats about 220 pounds of meat a year, which he believes is “too much.”
“I’m not advocating a no-meat diet, but I will tell you, people in blue zones eat about 20 pounds of meat a year, so about once a week as a celebratory food — and they are getting all the nutrients they need.”
One of the characteristics most blue zones share is their walkability, as people walk to work, school, friends’ homes or gardens.(iStock)
People also eat far more fiber in these areas, Buettner found.
“In blue zones, the cheapest and most accessible foods were full fiber,” he said. “They pull them out of their garden … whole grains or beans are the cornerstone of every longevity diet in the world.”
FRESH FOOD CONSUMPTION COULD HELP SOLVE DIET-RELATED ILLNESS: EXPERTS
Fiber is often neglected in the American diet, Buettner said, with only about 5% to 10% of Americans getting enough.
“If you don’t get enough fiber, it often goes to work at the mucous membrane and creates a certain permeability or leaky gut, and that causes all kinds of problems,” he warned.
Passion and purpose
Studies have shown that people who wake up and have a sense of purpose, whether it’s a duty, a passion or an outlet, have greater health outcomes.
“The blue zone purpose almost always includes an altruistic dimension,” Buettner shared.
“There’s almost always doing it for the next generation, or for the community or their church. There’s always some philanthropic dimension to their purpose.”
Power of community
“In blue zones, we see very clearly that people are connecting face to face, probably five to six hours a day,” Buettner said.
People in these areas often live in extended families.
“People in blue zones eat healthier, as they consume primarily whole, unprocessed, plant-based foods.”(iStock)
“Grandma never gets lonely, because she lives upstairs and helps with the garden,” Buettner shared as an example. “She helps cook food and she helps with childcare. And the kids do better because they’re getting better attention. And it’s this virtuous circle.”
In blue zones, people typically live in communities where they care about each other, he added.
“They’re not spending nearly as many stress hormones arguing about things — and there’s more time for laughter when you’re not angry.”
Faith factor
Data shows that people who regularly go to church live anywhere from four to 14 years longer than people who don’t, Buettner noted.
“You can’t measure faith, but you can measure religiosity,” he said. “Scientists simply ask people how often they show up at church, temple or mosque, and then they compare the longevity of the people who show up to those who don’t show up at all.”
WARDING OFF DEMENTIA MEANS MORE READING, PRAYING AND LISTENING TO MUSIC: STUDY
Part of this likely stems from the fact that churchgoers have a built-in community, he said, as loneliness has proven to be “toxic.”
“Religious people are also less likely to get involved in risky behaviors, and they often have a sense of purpose, which is their faith in God,” Buettner added.
Data shows that people who regularly go to church live anywhere from four to 14 years longer than people who don’t, Buettner noted.(iStock)
Those who worship on Sunday may also benefit from having one day a week where they “stop everything.”
“Being human is inherently stressful, and church gives us an hour or maybe a couple of hours where we fully take the focus off of our everyday life and troubles, and we get to sort of elevate to a higher plane and focus on a greater good,” Buettner said.
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The act of prayer itself could also “stack the deck” in favor of longevity and health, he added.
“By the way, people who sing in the choir actually even live longer,” Beuttner said. “So if you want a little extra bump, join the church and sing in the choir.”
Sleep’s role in health
In his visits to blue zones, Buettner found that the residents are usually early to bed, early to rise.
“They have kind of two sleeps, where they’ll go to bed shortly after sunset, and then get up at 3 or 4 a.m. and do some chores, and then go back to sleep until sunrise,” he told Fox News Digital.
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Napping is also very common throughout all blue zones.
“And some good research shows that people who take a 20-minute nap five days a week have significantly lower rates of cardiovascular disease and about 30% lower rates of cardiovascular mortality,” Buettner said. “So napping is definitely part of the blue zone approach to longevity.”
“Blue zones give us a very clear set of choices and environmental factors that would help us mindlessly get the years we deserve.”
Overall, he concluded, anyone can benefit from the lessons learned from the blue zones — primarily the importance of keeping people healthy in the first place.
“It’s about shaping their environment so that healthier choices are easier or unavoidable and setting them up for success, so they’re subconsciously making better decisions on a day-to-day basis for years or decades,” Buettner said.
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“Blue zones give us a very clear set of choices and environmental factors that would help us mindlessly get the years we deserve.”
“That’s what works in all the blue zones, and it will indisputably work for you — whether you live in Akron, Ohio, or New York City or Los Angeles.”
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
Unplanned food stops can sometimes be more fun. My only visit to Jai Bhuvaneshwari Military Hotel at Kirangoor near Srirangapatna (close to Mysuru) was an impromptu stop sparked by heavy traffic on a road trip from Bengaluru to Mysuru. I had heard about this nondescript eatery from some of my friends in Mysuru but did not think I would have time to stop here. I had quite a few spots to visit in Mysuru but glad that I made time to check out the restaurant’s popular mutton dishes. The term military hotel has been used for decades in Bengaluru and Mysuru for restaurants that primarily serve non-vegetarian cuisine.
It might be an unassuming restaurant, but it is a local legend of sorts. Jai Bhuvaneshwari has a loyal legion of fans that also includes Kannada movie stars who have probably made planned stops at this military hotel. The Mandya-Mysuru region is well known for its meaty dishes, and this eatery has a long list of mutton dishes, including mutton chops, brain fry, and the delicious mutton curry. Some of these dishes taste best with ragi mudde (finger millet balls). If there is one reason I would go back to Jai Bhuvaneshwari, it is the keema curry.
Also Read: Chettinad Food: 10 Ingredients That Make It A Lip-Smacking Affair
Beegara oota is a wedding tradition in Karnataka where the groom’s family hosts a non-vegetarian lunch or dinner for friends and family. Think of it as a celebration of two families coming together. Mutton dishes are staples at this big fat wedding lunch. I have tried this and mutton ball curry (kaima or keema unde saaru) at restaurants and homes. Many establishments in and around Mysore and Mandya use meat from the region’s famous Bannur sheep. It is one of the most prized meats in Karnataka; Bannur sheep are known for their tender, juicy, and flavourful meat. The breed has existed for over 500 years and has been selectively bred by local farmers to suit the region’s environmental conditions.
Also Read:Kerala Wedding Sadhya: The Making of a Grand Feast
The keema curry is a relatively simple dish, especially if you can source the right mutton (even if it is not from Bannur). This dish works equally well with rice, poori, chapati or ragi mudde. You can also try it for Sunday breakfast with idli or dosa.
Keema Curry
Keema Curry Recipe – How To Make Karnataka’s Keema Curry
Ingredients
500 grams keema (minced mutton)
1 bay leaf
2 cloves
1-inch cinnamon stick
1 cardamom
1 star anise
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp ginger (finely chopped)
1 tbsp garlic (finely chopped)
1 green chilli (finely chopped)
2 onions (finely chopped)
2 tomatoes (finely chopped)
1 tbsp red chilli powder
1 tbsp garam masala powder
1/2 tbsp turmeric powder
2 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp black pepper powder
1/4 cup coriander leaves (finely chopped)
2 tbsp cooking oil
Salt to taste
Method
Wash the minced meat. It is best to wash it twice with a little turmeric and keep aside.
Heat oil on medium flame (use a pressure pan or cooker). Add in all the whole spices and wait for them to sizzle.
Add the ginger, garlic, and green chilli to the spice mix. Add the onions and cook until transparent.
Wait until the onions are well cooked before you add the tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes turn mushy.
Add all the spice powders and then add the mutton keema. Stir well before adding two cups of water and salt to taste.
Mix well and pressure cook for two whistles (or longer if you want it done well) and turn off the flame.
Allow the pressure to release naturally, then open the cooker. Garnish with chopped coriander. You can also add a teaspoon of gingelly (sesame) oil for the perfect finish.
Serve hot keema curry with steamed rice, dosa or poori.
About Ashwin RajagopalanI am the proverbial slashie – a content architect, writer, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. School lunch boxes are usually the beginning of our culinary discoveries.That curiosity hasn’t waned. It’s only got stronger as I’ve explored culinary cultures, street food and fine dining restaurants across the world. I’ve discovered cultures and destinations through culinary motifs. I am equally passionate about writing on consumer tech and travel.
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-03-16/Trump-narrows-Keith-Kellogg-s-role-to-special-envoy-to-Ukraine-1BNdIM6OPkc/img/673394d7153f468c869894b2696af17c/673394d7153f468c869894b2696af17c.jpeg' alt='U.S. envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg during a meeting in Warsaw, Poland, February 18, 2025. /VCG'
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that retired lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, who was appointed as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia in late November, will shift his focus to Ukraine.
“General Kellogg, a Highly Respected Military Expert, will deal directly with President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and Ukrainian leadership,” Trump posted on social media platform Truth Social, adding: “He knows them well, and they have a very good working relationship together.”
Kellogg did not appear in recent peace talks held in Saudi Arabia, neither with the Russian delegation in the capital of Riyadh in February and nor with the Ukrainian delegation in the port city of Jeddah earlier this month.
The 80-year-old retired general once served as the national security advisor to then Vice President Mike Pence, and as the executive secretary and chief of staff of the National Security Council in the first Trump administration.
Beyond urban centers, flexible workspace providers are expanding into airport locations, addressing the growing demand for productivity on the move—especially among business travelers and remote workers. Mumbai-based IWG, which operates brands like Regus, Spaces, and HQ in India, along with iSprout, are among the early movers tapping into this trend.
Highlighting this trend, Harsh Lambah, Country Manager India, IWG plc, says thatairport-based workspaces are becoming essential hubs for productivity, offering convenience and efficiency to business travelers, remote teams, and entrepreneurs.
Regular clients of these spaces include startup founders, investors, and companies across sectors such as IT, finance, healthcare, consulting, and technology. “Additionally, corporates are setting up airport-based satellite offices to support employees who travel frequently, ensuring accessibility and efficiency,” says Lambah.
Airport workspaces gain traction
Lambah attributes this trend to the rise in business travel, noting that airport-based workspaces are mirroring global trends. “With the airport located nearly an hour from the city center, business travelers can now fly in, hold meetings, and depart the same day, maximising efficiency,” he adds. Internationally, IWG operates the ‘Spaces Lounge’ at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, while in India, it runs a workspace at GMR Aerocity, part of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA).
IWG’s workspace in RGIA
IWG states that its airport-adjacent workspaces offer premium facilities similar to its other locations. “There is demand for both short-term agreements, by the hour or the day, as well as long-term contracts, such as year-long leases, at all our locations, including transport hubs,” the company noted.
At iSprout’s flex space inside RGIA, short-term usage and pay-as-you-go options are available, in contrast to its traditional managed office spaces that require long-term leases.
“While our regular locations offer full-fledged office arrangements with monthly rentals, Flyers Club has variable pricing depending on usage duration. Due to its airport location and additional amenities, the rates are slightly higher than typical coworking prices but remain competitive for frequent travelers, making it a convenient option for business professionals in transit,” says Sreenivas Tirdhala, Co-Founder & CSO, iSprout.
Following the launch of its flex space at Hyderabad Airport, iSprout is now in discussions with other airport operators across India, including Bengaluru Airport, to expand its presence. “We plan to establish more airport-based flex spaces and are already in discussions for Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and the upcoming new airport in Vizag. After these, we aim to expand into other key airport hubs across India,” says Sundari Patibandla, CEO & Co-Founder, iSprout.
Pri kreiranju rubrike Index Shopping nastojimo izdvajati odlične proizvode koji se i nama sviđaju te odlične akcije i popuste. Ne objavljujemo proizvode koje i sami ne bismo kupili ili smatramo da njihova promocija nije u skladu s profesionalnim standardima. Neki proizvodi u rubrici Index Shopping mogu biti sponzorirani.
SYDNEY Sweeney, poznata glumica iz serije Euforija, ponovno je privukla pažnju, ovog puta na Tjednu mode u Parizu. Tijekom posljednjeg dana ovog prestižnog događaja nosila je outfit koji je kombinirao dva potpuno različita trenda – motocore i baletni stil.
Za ovu priliku Sydney je nosila crni kožni komplet koji se sastojao od skraćene jakne i zgužvane minice s naborima. Ispod jakne nosila je bijeli top s volanima, a preko njega čokoladno smeđi pleteni kardigan. Najzanimljiviji dio njezinog izgleda bili su sivi grijači za noge, koje je kombinirala s crnim štiklama sa špičastim vrhovima.
Za završni detalj Sydney je odabrala smeđu torbu, zlatne naušnice u obliku polumjeseca i nekoliko prstena. Njezin cijeli izgled zaokružile su pravokutne sunčane naočale.
Tekst se nastavlja ispod oglasa
Obožavatelji oduševljeni: “Njoj sve dobro stoji”
Na svom Instagram profilu Sydney je podijelila nekoliko slika, a njeni obožavatelji odmah su komentirali njen izgled. Više od 2000 komentara složilo se u jednom – cijeli outfit jednostavno zrači cool energijom. Jedan obožavatelj je napisao: “Tako je zgodna. Njoj sve dobro stoji”, dok je drugi sažeo ono što svi misle: “Opsjednut sam ovim izgledom.”
Sydney Sweeney još jednom je dokazala da, bez obzira na to što nosi, uvijek izgleda fantastično, a njezin look iz Pariza sigurno će inspirirati mnoge modne kombinacije ovog proljeća. Ako vam se svidio njen stil, pronašli smo nekoliko sličnih komada.
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TOKYO — Mookie Betts’ return to shortstop will have to wait until the Dodgers return home from Japan.
Betts will miss both of the Dodgers’ season-opening games at the Tokyo Dome this week against the Chicago Cubs, manager Dave Roberts said Monday, as he continues to recover from a stomach virus that has kept him out of action since last weekend.
Betts is expected to be ready for the Dodgers’ domestic home opener on March 27 against the Detroit Tigers. But in the meantime, Roberts said the Dodgers are “contemplating” sending him back home to Los Angeles early, before the team departs following Wednesday’s second game against the Cubs.
“He’s still trying to find his way [physically],” Roberts said. “I think the question is, what’s best to get him ready for opening day? We’re still talking. That’s on the table.”
Betts first started feeling sick before the team left for Japan last week. He made his final Cactus League appearance on March 9, continuing to transition back to a shortstop position he is slated to play full-time this year after a three-month stint there last year. But after reporting his symptoms to the club the next day, he was held out of the team’s final two games in Arizona.
Roberts said there wasn’t much initial consideration to having Betts miss the trip to Tokyo; nor concern that his illness, which Roberts said doctors didn’t believe was contagious, would spread to others on the team.
However, over the course of his sickness, Betts lost almost 15 pounds, according to Roberts, and looked noticeably slimmer when he arrived in Tokyo. Though he finally began feeling better in recent days, he was still battling lingering effects of dehydration and fatigue.
“The thing is when you lose a lot of weight, when you’re dehydrated, that’s what opens a person up to soft-tissue injuries,” Roberts said. “We’re very mindful of that. So to take the next week, call it, to build him back up, his strength, do some baseball activities to get ready for the home opener.”
Betts didn’t play in either of the Dodgers’ exhibition games against Japanese teams this weekend. During a pregame workout on Sunday, the 32-year-old former MVP looked visibly tired while taking ground balls, resting his hands on his knees several times between drills.
Betts was scheduled to participate in an off-day workout Monday, but ended up scrapping the session.
Roberts said the added toll of Betts’ move back to shortstop contributed to the team’s decision to hold him out of Tuesday and Wednesday’s season-opening games.
The manager also acknowledged that, if the Dodgers had known Betts wouldn’t be able to play in Tokyo, they likely would have had him stay back from the trip.
The magnificent reclining statue of Buddha, located in Gaya, Bihar, serves as a captivating spot for tourists who flock to admire its grandeur.
The Great Buddha Statue at Bodh Gaya.(Shutterstock)
The Mahabodhi Mahavihara’s serene and spiritually charged ambience makes it the perfect setting for individuals seeking solace and introspection.
Under the sacred pipal or Bodhi tree, Gautama Buddha (Prince Siddhartha) attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. According to some Buddhist texts, the pipal is believed to be the centre of the universe and the seat of enlightenment of all past and future Buddhas.
Arya Pal Bhikshu, Founder Secretary of the Buddha International Welfare Mission, said, “India is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It was here in Bihar, in Bodh Gaya, that he meditated under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment. He then spread this wisdom to the world. People from across the globe visit this sacred place to pay homage and seek inspiration. Here, we have built India’s largest Buddha statue, attracting visitors from countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the USA, Canada, and various parts of Europe. Every morning and evening, we offer prayers for world peace. Through social media and Facebook Live, we share these prayers with the world, striving to promote peace and spiritual well-being for all.”
A Tibetan tourist, Dolma, said, “We have come to Himachal and are very satisfied. After seeing Lord Buddha, our hearts are full of contentment. We have visited Gaya twice, but this is our first time here.”
Many holy places worldwide earn a good amount of money from spiritual tourism every year. However, Bodh Gaya, a place of equal spiritual importance for Buddhists, is unable to attract as many tourists as it should.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is believed to be the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, making it highly significant for Buddhists worldwide.
Bodh Gaya, located in the central province of Bihar State, is one of the holiest sites for Buddhists all over the world, where thousands of foreigners, mostly Buddhist devotees, throng each year.
New reports suggest the Nintendo Switch 2 could have some serious competition in 2025.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to launch at some point this summer, either in May or June based on the latest predictions.
Interestingly, however, new leaks have suggested Microsoft could provide some unexpected competition later this year.
Codenamed “Kennan”, an Xbox-branded handheld is said to be in development and could launch later in 2025 “if plans are met”.
That’s according to a report on Windows Central, which claims the Xbox handheld will be feature an official Xbox guide button, as well as other Xbox “design sensibilities”.
Unsurprisingly, it’s believed the Xbox handheld will run on a Windows operating system, which means Xbox Game Pass and the Microsoft Store front will be the main focus in terms of games.
However, the use of Windows should also give owners the chance to install Steam and other PC platforms.
Elsewhere, Microsoft is also said to be working on a next-gen Xbox console, which could speed up Sony’s plans to launch the PS6.
While the release of an officially branded Xbox handheld could be bad news for the Switch 2, early projections are positive for the Nintendo handheld.
Despite new reports that the Switch 2 could cost upwards of $500, some analysts believe the console will net record-breaking sales at launch. Nintendo is said to be preparing for any such eventuality, having manufactured upward of 8 million units for sale this summer.
The upcoming Nintendo Direct conference should shed light on the price of the Switch 2 console, pre-orders and release date.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct will take place at 2pm GMT UK time on the afternoon of April 2.
In addition to pricing and functionality, Nintendo will also give fans a look at the launch games and other titles releasing later this year.
Based on the announcement trailer, Nintendo is working on new Mario Kart content, complete with 24-person multiplayer.
Upcoming shooter Metroid Prime 4 is expected to launch as a cross-gen release, while third-party games are said to include powerhouses like Doom The Dark Ages.
The Chery Omoda 5 has received a subtle facelift that has arguably made the small SUV, well, subtler.
Revealed for markets such as Mexico and Russia, the updated Omoda C5 – as it’s known in many markets, sans Chery badging – features revised front-end styling.
There’s still an exceptionally intricate grille, but Chery says it has a “thinner and more elegant three-dimensional pattern”. It now has body-coloured square elements, ditching the chrome of the outgoing model.
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There are slimmer, longer LED daytime running lights, which align the petrol-powered model more closely with the electric Omoda E5.
Below these sit the headlights, and these are now visually separated from the central air intake of the bumper. This air intake has also grown in size.
The Omoda wordmark appears on a strip of trim between the daytime running lights, as it does on the Omoda E5 in Australia – even though the Chery brand name is used here.
In Australia, the pre-facelift Omoda 5 features red accents on the top-spec EX, which can be found at the bottom of the doors, on the wheels, and on the mirrors. This trim no longer appears on the facelifted model.
The mouldings at the bottom of the doors has been revised, while there’s a new alloy wheel design.
The rear-end is unchanged, as is the cabin. Likewise, the Omoda 5 remains mechanically unchanged.
It continues to be available with a choice of turbocharged 1.5-litre or 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, though the latter was recently axed in Australia. That also saw the removal of an all-wheel drive option locally.
The turbo 1.5-litre produces 108kW of power and 210Nm of torque, and is mated with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive.
Last year, Chery delivered 6162 Omoda 5s in Australia, up 14.7 per cent on the year before. That made it more popular than more established small SUV rivals like the Honda HR-V (3350 deliveries), Suzuki Vitara (2934), and Toyota C-HR (2828).
However, it was still outsold by the MG ZS (22,629), Hyundai Kona (17,374), Haval Jolion (14,238), Mazda CX-30 (12,672), Mitsubishi ASX (12,330), Subaru Crosstrek (11,545), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (9221), Toyota Corolla Cross (8902), Kia Seltos and Volkswagen T-Cross (7777), and Nissan Qashqai (6560).
And it remains to be seen how much the cheaper, newly launched Tiggo 4 Pro will eat into Omoda 5 sales throughout 2025.
In the first two months of this year, the Tiggo 4 Pro – launched locally late in 2024 – accounted for 2068 deliveries, or just over half of the Chery brand’s overall tally.
The Chinese brand’s second best-seller was the Omoda 5, with 968 deliveries. This was down 2.1 per cent on the same period last year.
Chery returned to Australia in 2023 with the Omoda 5, and has subsequently launched not only the Tiggo 4 Pro but also the larger mid-sized Tiggo 7 Pro and large Tiggo 8 Pro Max SUVs.
