Author: Anand Singha

Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof flees country after prison sentence, flogging threat

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Celebrated Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has fled Iran following a distressing sentence of eight years in prison accompanied by flogging. Rasoulof, known for his cinematic contributions, including his latest film competing in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, revealed his decision to seek refuge in an unspecified location in Europe through a statement on Sunday, May 12, quoted by Deadline.

Expressing his dilemma, Rasoulof disclosed, “I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran. With a heavy heart, I chose exile.” This announcement comes in the wake of learning about the confirmation of his sentence approximately a month ago.

Fearful of further repercussions, particularly concerning his impending film’s release, Rasoulof articulated his apprehensions, stating, “Knowing that the news of my new film would be revealed very soon, I knew that without a doubt, a new sentence would be added to these eight years.”

Also read: India to host ‘Bharat Parv’ at 77th Cannes Film Festival

The acclaimed director, whose passport had been confiscated since September 2017, underscored the pervasive repression perpetuated by Iranian authorities and issued a rallying cry to the global cinema community to rally behind filmmakers facing censorship and champion freedom of expression.

Rumors abound that Rasoulof may defy the odds and attend the premiere of his film, “The Seed of The Sacred Fig,” slated for next Friday at Cannes. Iranian authorities had reportedly exerted pressure on the filmmaker to withdraw his film from the festival, adding to the tumult surrounding his situation.

In an Instagram post featuring a serene mountain path, Rasoulof hinted at the challenges he faced, mentioning the need to finalise the technical aspects of his film amidst his tumultuous journey. He expressed gratitude towards those who aided him in his perilous passage to safety, acknowledging the risks they undertook.

“I am thankful and indebted to friends, relatives, and individuals who, with kindness, selflessness, and at times risking themselves, aided me in crossing the border and reaching a safe haven in this arduous and lengthy journey,” Rasoulof wrote. “I am alive to narrate it.”

Also read: Eurovision Song Contest: Switzerland won jury vote, while viewers favoured Croatia, Israel

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted and the rise of the corporate biopic

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

It’s not surprising that Jerry Seinfeld has made his directorial debut with a film about the invention of Kellogg’s celebrated breakfast pastry, Pop Tarts. Considering the superstar comic’s love for morning cereal and his single-minded focus on eliciting laughs over nothing, it’s just the perfect little first film for him.

Especially in a post-Barbie world. It’s fascinating how within the first half of 2023 a slew of corporate biopics released to various degrees of applause and acclaim. Matt Johnson’s BlackBerry was about the set of people behind the first smartphone, Eva Longoria’s Flamin’ Hot was a raucous telling of how the spicy version of the Cheetos brand came into existence.

Jon S. Baird’s Tetris cataloged the race to license and patent the much-loved video game, and Ben Affleck’s Air memorably recounted the execs and events that led to the birth of Nike’s Air Jordan.

Also  read: India’s indies poised on the cusp of a new era in Cannes

But it was the gargantuan global success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie that truly legitimised the corporate biopic as a genre. With the Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling film raking in a heart-stopping, career-upending $1.4 billion, how could Seinfeld—one of the wealthiest comics to have ever roamed the earth—be left behind?

Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story is just as frothy, frilly, and frivolous as Seinfeld’s illustrious career. Peopled with several A-list celebs—Hugh Grant, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, Christian Slater, John Slattery, Peter Dinklage, the list is long—it runs at the velocity of a joke per minute.

Conceived as a contest between two Michigan-based cereal rivals Kellogg’s and Post to first bring to the shelf a heatable, unputdownable breakfast snack, the film parodies the intensity that often fuels such duels as the Space Race or the Manhattan Project.

Seinfeld has co-written Unfrosted and also stars in it as the protagonist Bob Cabana, the fictional version of Bill Post (unrelated to the rival company), the Kellogg’s executive who went on to create other breakthrough snackable products such as Nutri-Grain bars and Rice Krispie Treats.

When asked how much of the film—set in Battle Creek in 1963—is historically or factually accurate, Seinfeld has a straight, simple answer: just as much as the nutrients you can expect in a cereal box.

It’s difficult to not like Grant, McCarthy, Schumer, or even Seinfeld’s individual performances in the film. It’s always heart-warming to see them on screen doing what they do best. But the sum total isn’t half as glorious as its parts.

In GQ’s recent 10 Things Jerry Seinfeld Can’t Live Without video, the debutant director quipped, “The secret of life is to waste time in ways that you like.” Unfrosted is him doing just that.

It’s rather baffling to me that a man of Seinfeld’s stature and resources would limit his ambition so and squander his hours, effort, money, and those of several others on a project as empty as this.

But this is classic Seinfeld, isn’t it? Dissecting banal, quotidian trivialities experienced by most humans that either amuse or enervate, carefully skirting away from anything of any importance to appeal to as wide a section of the audience as possible.

However, the world has changed dramatically since his seminal eponymous megahit television sitcom Seinfeld (1989-1998) that catapulted him to the kind of fame and mass appeal only chosen few get to experience.

At 93 minutes, Unfrosted premiered on Netflix at the No. 1 spot but it quickly became the film to get the lowest views in that category ever. Despite Seinfeld doing extensive, inexhaustible press, Unfrosted raked in only a meager 7.1 million views in its debut week.

In a recent interview with NPR, Seinfeld was asked what he hoped the audience to take away from his Pop Tart movie. “I don’t want them to take anything away from it,” he said, adding, “I want them to just watch it and hopefully get a laugh or two. That’s it.” If that was all that he had envisioned for this elaborate skit, then Seinfeld has surely hit the bull’s eye.

Also read: Roger Corman, influential B-movie king who nurtured great directors, dies at 98

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Major airlines sue Biden administration over fee disclosure rule

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Major U.S. airlines are suing the U.S. Transportation Department over a new rule requiring upfront disclosure of airline fees.

Airlines for America, along with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, filed suit in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals late Friday.

This follows the issuance of USDOT’s final rules requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees alongside the airfare, saying it would help consumers avoid unneeded or unexpected fees.

The airline group said the department’s rule will confuse consumers and its “attempt to regulate private business operations in a thriving marketplace is beyond its authority.”

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Hoarding collapse: 4 dead, 69 injured in Mumbai’s Chheda Nagar; BMC blames illegal structure on GRP land

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

At least 100 individuals have been reportedly trapped beneath the debris following the collapse of a towering 120×120 hoarding near a petrol pump in Mumbai’s Chheda Nagar, Ghatkopar, on Monday, May 13. The incident occurred around 4:30 pm amid a fierce dust storm and heavy rainfall, exacerbating the situation and hampering rescue efforts. A second team of NDRF has also left for the spot of the incident around 8:30 pm.

According to official information, 12 people have died and 69 people have sustained injuries in the calamity, prompting swift responses from emergency services as MFB declared it a level 3 incident. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has been mobilised at the site of the collapse to aid in the rescue operation which has rescued 67 people until now.

🚨 #MumbaiStorm Live updates ⬇️

BMC (@mybmc ) to CNBC-TV18 ⬇️

🚨 Around 100 people trapped under a #hoardingcollapse in Mumbai

🚨 Collapsed Hoarding In Chedda Nagar, Ghatkopar Was Illegal

🚨 Hoarding Was Placed On Railway Land, Had Informed Railway About Its Legality… pic.twitter.com/hrD007rCfB

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) May 13, 2024

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has pointed fingers at the unauthorised hoarding, labelling it as illegal and highlighting its placement on railway land without proper authorisation. Speaking exclusively to CNBC-TV18, BMC officials revealed damning details about the structure, emphasising its egregious deviation from permissible dimensions.

“This was an illegal hoarding. This hoarding was placed in railway land. We had informed the railway that this was an illegal hoarding. The permissible size is 40×40. The size of this hoarding was 120 × 120,” a BMC spokesperson disclosed.

The agencies in question have been identified as Pacific Digital and Minimax Ads. The unauthorised hoarding was erected by Ego Media, the parent company and will file an FIR against the ad agency and the Government Railway Police (GRP) under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, according to sources.

“The hoarding near Chedda Nagar petrol pump was NOT authorised or legal in nature. Will file an FIR against central railway and the ad agency responsible for the hoarding. Will also file FIR in case of three more hoardings by Central Railways in their premises along with the ad agency,” the BMC asserted to CNBC-TV18.

Meanwhile, the Central Railways Public Relations Officer told CNBC-TV18 that the colony doesn’t come under its purview. Central Railways added that the hoarding was not on its land while refuting the allegations.

However, later in the evening, stated that the land on which the hoarding was erected belonged to the Government Railway Police and not the Central Railways. “We were under the impression that GRP comes under Central Railways,” BMC told CNBC-TV18.

The notice mentions that the complaint was first filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on April 29 about the same hoarding that is erected near Ghatkopar’s Ramabai Nagar Petrol Pump. The Ad Agency will be fined ₹6.13 crore that has to be paid by May 23 along with taking the remaining illegal hoardings in the area. The notice also mentions that the hoardings have been erected by cutting down trees in that area. A complaint had also been filed at the Pant Nagar Police Station in Ghatkopar.

For the latest updates on the Mumbai rains, click here.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Mumbai rains highlights: Ghatkopar hoarding collapse claims 8 lives, 20-30 still trapped

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Mumbai witnessed the onset of its first rains of the season today, May 13, accompanied by a massive dust storm that blanketed the skyline and disrupted daily life across the metropolis. The sudden change in weather brought both relief and chaos to residents, as the scorching heat was replaced by gusty winds and heavy rainfall.

The storm, which struck around 3 pm, darkened the sky and reduced visibility to a mere 300 metres, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend take-offs and landings at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Sources within the airport administration revealed that operations were halted for a duration of 30 minutes due to the adverse weather conditions.

Here are the latest updates:

Mumbai rains: President Murmu expresses grief over ghatkopar hoarding collapse tragedy

मुंबई के घाटकोपर क्षेत्र में होर्डिंग गिरने से अनेक लोगों के हताहत होने का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद है। मैं शोक संतप्त परिवारजनों के प्रति गहन संवेदना व्यक्त करती हूं। मैं घायल हुए लोगों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की प्रार्थना करती हूं तथा राहत और बचाव कार्य की सफलता की कामना करती हूं।

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Pantnagar police register case in Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident

Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident | Regarding the hoarding collapse incident at a petrol pump in Ghatkopar East, a case under IPC 304, 338, 337, 34 has been registered against owner Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station. Pantnagar police station is investigating…

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Ghatkopar hoarding collapse claims 8 lives, 20-30 still trapped

Hoarding collapse has resulted in 8 deaths and left 20-30 people trapped underneath.

Mumbai rains: ₹5 lakh announced for relatives of those killed in the accident

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the site of the hoarding accident on the Eastern Expressway and oversaw relief efforts. He addressed the media, expressing sorrow over the incident and promising a thorough investigation.

Shinde instructed the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to audit and remove unauthorised and dangerous hoardings promptly.

Shinde announced financial aid of ₹5 lakh to the families of each deceased victim and assured that the injured will receive government-funded treatment.

Mumbai rains: CM Shinde visits Ghatkopar site after hoarding collapse

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde arrived at the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident to take stock of the situation.

“Rescuing the people is our priority. Government will take care of the treatment of those who are injured in the incident. Rs 5 lakh will be given to the family of those who have lost their lives. I have directed the concerned authorities to audit for all such hoardings in Mumbai,” he says.

Mumbai rains: BMC to audit Mumbai hoardings after Ghatkopar incident, says Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, “There will be an investigation regarding what kind of permission they have for this hoarding, whether they had this permission or not… The CM has directed that a proper audit of all the hoardings in Mumbai be done by BMC to mitigate such incidents in future. Whovever has done this kind of ignorance, strict action will be taken against them.”

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, “…There will be an investigation regarding what kind of permission they have for this hoarding, whether they had this permission or not… The CM has directed that a proper audit of all the hoardings in Mumbai be done by… https://t.co/N97q3K2tLL pic.twitter.com/iVxOY2tKci

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis cancels Lok Sabha campaign due to Ghatkopar incident

Following the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident, Maharashtra’s Deputy CM, Devendra Fadnavis, has decided to cancel his Lok Sabha campaign and public meeting in the Mulund area. Instead, he will be meeting with the affected individuals shortly to address the situation.

Mumbai rains: Four dead, 64 injured in hoarding collapse, 67 rescued till now

Four individuals lost their lives and 64 others sustained injuries when a hoarding collapsed at the Police Ground Petrol Pump on the Eastern Express Highway in Pantnagar, Ghatkopar East.

The BMC has initiated search and rescue efforts, with ongoing operations at the scene.

The NDRF has reported that 67 individuals have been successfully rescued so far, with their team actively engaged in the rescue mission.

Mumbai rains: Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis orders probe into hoarding collapse

Ghatkopar hoarding collapse incident | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis tweets, “A high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident.” https://t.co/HxamZmFmrZ pic.twitter.com/9TbAa5F47d

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: NDRF team rushed to Ghatkopar as hoarding collapse leaves 54 injured

#WATCH | Maharashtra | One NDRF team has been deployed at Ghatkopar.

54 people injured and over 100 feared trapped after a hoarding fell at the Police Ground Petrol Pump, Eastern Express Highway, Pantnagar, Ghatkopar East. Search and rescue is in process: BMC

(Video Source:… https://t.co/HxamZmFmrZ pic.twitter.com/AOd54SaYMw

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Hoarding collapse site not owned by railway, says Central Railway CPRO

Central Railway CPRO DR Swapnil Nila says, “The land on which the hoarding was erected belongs to the GRP. It doesn’t belong to the central railway”

BMC will file a complaint against Railway and Advertising company Ego Media in the matter of the hoarding falling incident in… https://t.co/uQTe7YTytF

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Tall metal structure collapses amid strong storm in Wadala

A tall metal structure standing opposite a building collapses due to a strong storm in the Wadala area of Maharashtra.

#WATCH | A tall metal structure standing opposite a building collapses due to a strong storm in the Wadala area of Maharashtra

(Viral video, confirmed by officials) pic.twitter.com/OM20Bu4PYw

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: 50-60 individuals still feared trapped in hoarding collapse, says Mumbai Police

Today, on 13/05/2024, around 16:30, a sudden storm and heavy rain led to a devastating incident. A metal girder from a billboard, sized 70/50 meters, collapsed at Railway Petrol Pump, Samta Colony, Ghatkopar (E), injuring 37 people. Approximately 50-60 individuals are still…

— मुंबई पोलीस – Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Ad agency stares down ₹6.13 crore penalty over hoarding collapse

35 injured have been rushed to Rajawadi Hospital for treatment. The NDRF, MFB, and BMC officials are conducting a rescue operation. The Municipal Corporation has issued notices to the ad agency, Ego Media, for violating the permitted hoarding size of 40×40, installed on Central Railways’ land.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed the initial complaint on April 29 regarding a similar hoarding near Ghatkopar’s Ramabai Nagar Petrol Pump. The agency faces a fine of ₹6.13 crore, due by May 23. The notice highlights tree cutting for hoarding placement and a complaint at Pant Nagar Police Station. BMC plans to file an FIR against the ad agency and Central Railways under the Disaster Management Act.

Mumbai rains:  Hoarding collapse in Chheda Nagar likely traps over 100 amid dust storm, 34 reported injured

A hoarding near a petrol pump in #Mumbai’s #ChhedaNagar collapsed around 4:30 pm amid intense dust storm & rainfall, more than 100 people likely trapped, 34 reported injured#MumbaiRains #MumbaiWeather #MumbaiStorm pic.twitter.com/IKg4USi9kT

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) May 13, 2024

Also read: Hoarding collapse traps at least 100 in Mumbai’s Chheda Nagar; BMC blames illegal structure

Mumbai rains: Western Line suburban trains delayed by 15-20 minutes due to technical issues

Western Line suburban trains on the Western railway are currently experiencing delays of 15-20 minutes due to technical issues.

⚠️ Attention Mumbai commuters! 🚆 Due to technical issues, all Western Line suburban trains are currently running behind schedule by 15-20 minutes. Please plan your journey accordingly and stay tuned for updates. #MumbaiLocal #WesternLine #TrainDelay @WesternRly

— DRM – Mumbai Central, WR (@drmbct) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Rescue efforts underway as person trapped in car

Man trapped in car as parking lot collapses in Wadala. Rescue operation is going on.

Mumbai rains: Dust storm forces brief shutdown at Mumbai airport, 15 flights diverted

Mumbai airport suspended operations for 66 minutes on Monday due to low visibility and gusty winds caused by an intense dust storm. 15 flights were diverted during the temporary closure from 3:37 PM to 5:03 PM when operations resumed after weather conditions improved. The dust storm disrupted air travel, causing delays even after reopening.

Mumbai rains: Seven injured in hoarding collapse amid rain and gusty wind

A sudden collapse of an iron hoarding during the heavy rain and gusty winds in Ghatkopar area left at least seven people injured and raised fears of others being trapped underneath the fallen structure. The incident took place at the Police Ground petrol pump along the Eastern Express Highway in Pantnagar.

Mumbai rains: IMD cites network issue as a reason for delayed warning for Mumbai region storm

While the IMD claims to have issued an alert for thunderstorms in Mumbai and nearby regions on May 10, their website failed to indicate the intensity of the impending storm. Sources have informed CNBC-TV18 that the IMD upgraded its warning only after the storm had already begun.

Additionally, the IMD’s “nowcast” warning, which is typically issued for the next 3-4 hours to alert people and authorities to prepare for any untoward incidents, was also delayed by over an hour for the thunderstorm and dust storm that hit the city.

Regarding the delayed warning, IMD sources told CNBC-TV18 that although the warning was issued on time, a network issue caused a delay in displaying the alert on the IMD website.

Mumbai rains: Metro, rail services hit by strong winds

The strong winds accompanying the unseasonal rainfall caused disruptions to both metro and suburban rail services in Mumbai. Metro operations were halted between Aarey and Andheri East stations after a banner got entangled in the overhead wires due to the gusting winds, according to a Metro Rail spokesperson.

The Central Railway’s chief spokesperson stated that the suburban services on the Main Line had to be suspended entirely.

#WATCH | Rain lashes parts of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/ZhnRmBQ0bs

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Mumbai rains: Power outages in Thane district and other localities

While the unseasonal rains provided relief from the sweltering heat, they also led to power outages in areas like Kalwa in the Thane district and other localities.

In response to the challenging weather conditions, Vistara airlines diverted three Mumbai-bound flights to Goa, in anticipation of the storm’s intensity.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued alerts for thunderstorms, lightening, and heavy rainfall with gusty winds of 50-60 km/hr in the districts of Palghar and Thane for the next 3-4 hours.

According to IMD Mumbai to CNBC-TV18, “For now, we haven’t issued any warning for Mumbai and nearby regions for tomorrow. For now, the forecast for tomorrow is cloudy sky. We will reassess the situation tomorrow and update our warning accordingly.”

Mumbai rains: Trees uprooted, traffic snarls across city

The impact of the storm extended beyond the airport, with reports of trees being uprooted and traffic coming to a standstill in various parts of the city. Strong winds and rain battered areas such as Ghatkopar, Bandra Kurla, and Dharavi, causing inconvenience to commuters and residents alike.

Mumbai rains: Not linked to heat wave or solar storm: IMD

The IMD attributed the unusual weather pattern to a trough line forming in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and the Konkan belt, emphasising that the storm was a seasonal feature rather than a consequence of high temperatures or the solar storm affecting northern parts of the country. The agency, however, failed to highlight the intensity of the storm in a timely manner.

Despite the disruptions caused by the dust storm and rain, the IMD reassured the public that the weather was expected to stabilise within the next 2-3 hours. Nevertheless, they issued yellow and orange alerts for Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and the Konkan belt.

Also read: IMD issues thunderstorm warning for Madhya Pradesh amid polling; may impact voter turnout

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Italy’s public TV apologises for mistakenly publishing Eurovision results

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Italian public broadcaster RAI apologised on Friday for mistakenly revealing domestic voting results for the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, blaming it on a technical glitch.

The Eurovision Song Contest is the world’s biggest live music event, with 37 nations participating in this year’s edition in Malmo, Sweden, and 26 of them chasing a win in the grand final on Saturday night.

In the closing credits of Thursday’s show, RAI displayed what it called provisional voting results, indicating that Israeli contestant Eden Golan had been the Italians’ favourite with over 39%.

Eurovision rules say that such information cannot be published before the grand final.

“It was a technical hitch that led to the erroneous display in the graphics of some data – entirely partial – of the Italian national vote,” RAI said in a statement, adding that it had apologised to Eurovision organisers.

The mishap has caused uproar on social media, amid controversy over Israel’s participation in the contest and its securing of a spot in the final.

Eurovision organisers have resisted calls to exclude Israel over its military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, arguing that the competition is a non-political event.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

FPIs offload $2.2 billion in five days to mark their biggest selling in 16 weeks

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) continued to offload Indian shares, having sold shares worth $2.2 billion in five days through Friday. The selling continued on Friday as well, marking their biggest selling in 16 weeks.

Earlier, a five-day selling of this magnitude was seen during the week ended January 19, 2024, when they sold shares worth $2.4 billion, as shown by Bloomberg data.

On Friday, FPIs sold equities worth $254 million, and they remained net sellers during the last seven days. However, domestic institutional investors have absorbed most of it by acquiring shares worth a little over $2 billion during the week.

Apart from the concerns surrounding election results, the outperformance of Chinese and Hong Kong markets also weighed on FPI selling. The benchmark index of the Chinese equity market — Shanghai Composite — has gained as much as 4.5% during the last one month. Similarly, the Hang Seng of Hong Kong has rallied 13.4% over the last one month. That compares with a 2.1% drop clocked by the benchmark Nifty50 during the same period.

“So long as this outperformance of the Chinese and Hong Kong market continues, FIIs are likely to sell,” said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Moreover, the valuation gap between India and other equity markets have also widened off late. According to Bloomberg data, Nifty50 currently trades at 19.2 times its one-year forward earnings, whereas Shanghai Composite Index commands a valuation of 11.1x. Further, Hang Seng trades much cheaper at 9.2 times its 12-month forward earnings.

The ownership of FPIs has declined from its peak on the back of sustained selling and underperformance of some pockets due to cautious investment stance.

“Despite nominal capital inflows recently, FII have displayed a conservative approach, particularly toward sectors, such as the BFSI, where there has been significant retraction. Conversely, there is a slight increase in allocation toward commodity-oriented sectors albeit maintaining an underweight position,” wrote Elara Capital in a strategy note.

The Nifty50 closed Friday’s session at 22,055.20 points up 0.4%. The index has come off almost 2% during the weak to mark its biggest weekly fall in eight weeks.

Also read: For the 5th time in 20 years, Nifty50 closes at the same level

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Met Gala 2024: Here’s how much the event raised this year

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The world’s biggest fashion’s event, Met Gala 2024, was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6. This year’s dress code was ‘The Garden of Time’, based upon the 2024 Costume Institute’s exhibit, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion. Met Gala is a charity event and fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

It was usually held to mark the inauguration of the yearly fashion exhibition. The purpose of the Met Gala is to raise money for the Met’s Costume Institute; this year’s event raised about $26 million (over ₹217 crore), according to a spokeswoman. It collected $22 million last year.

The Met Gala was established in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as a fundraiser for the newly-founded Costume Institute to mark the opening of its annual exhibit.

The first gala included a dinner, and tickets were $50 each. For the first several decades of its history, the event was just one of many yearly events hosted for New York charity organisations.

Ticket price:

As per reports, Gala ticket prices have gone up dramatically in recent times. This year, the ticket price was set at $75,000. While it was $50,000 last year and $35,000 in 2022, There has been a huge increase in ticket prices this year compared to previous years. Event attendees also had to bear the cost of reserving tables. According to a report, booking a 10-seater table at the gala costs $350,000 (₹2.9 crore).

Sponsorship of reputable companies:

The gala raises money from its sponsors, which this year included Condé Nast, luxury fashion brand Loewe, and TikTok. Previous sponsors include Apple and Instagram.

Who is hosted and who are the guests?

Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth served as hosts at the 2024 Met Gala.

The list of notable names who attended the 2024 Met Gala includes Zendaya, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Camila Cabello, Donatella Versace, Andrew Scott, Jude Law, Kylie Jenner, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, FKA Twigs, Taraji P Henson, Elizabeth Debicki, Charlie Hunnam, Alia Bhatt, Isha Ambani, and Natasha Poonawalla.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Biden set to impose tariffs on China EVs, strategic sectors

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

President Joe Biden’s administration is poised to unveil a sweeping decision on China tariffs as soon as next week, one that’s expected to target key strategic sectors while rejecting the across-the-board hikes sought by Donald Trump, people familiar with the matter said.

The decision is the culmination of a review of Section 301 tariffs first put into place under Trump starting in 2018. The new tariffs will focus on industries including electric vehicles, batteries and solar cells, with existing levies largely being maintained. An announcement is scheduled for Tuesday, two of the people said.

While a decision could be delayed, it nonetheless represents one of Biden’s biggest moves in the economic race with China. It builds on his call last month to hike tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, and the formal launch of a fresh probe into China’s shipbuilding industry.

The yuan weakened on the news, while the CSI 300 Index of Chinese shares fell as much as 0.6% in early trading before rallying.

“It’ll definitely cause investors to pause on stocks that are potentially exposed,” said Xin-Yao Ng, director of investment at abrdn, adding that many green-tech brands such as battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. already have limited US exposure. “Everyone knows it’s a risk.”

China’s Foreign Ministry said the tariffs imposed by the previous US administration “seriously disrupted” economic and trade exchanges between the two countries. It called on Washington to cancel the restrictions, and added that China will take steps to defend its rights and interests.

“Instead of correcting its wrong practices, the United States continued to politicize economic and trade issues,” Lin Jian, a ministry spokesman, said at a regular briefing on Friday. “To further increase tariffs is to add insult to injury.”

President Xi Jinping’s strategy of ramping up manufacturing to arrest an economic slowdown at home has triggered alarm abroad. US and European Union leaders have scolded Beijing over state support that they say has fueled a deluge of cheap exports that threaten jobs in their markets. The EU launched an EV subsidy investigation in October that may lead to additional tariffs by July.

The US is standing up to China’s “unfair economic practices and industrial overcapacity,” Biden said last month. “I’m not looking for a fight with China. I’m looking for competition, but fair competition.”

The tariffs would likely have little immediate impact on Chinese firms, since its world-beating EV manufacturers have steered clear of the US market due to tariffs. Its solar companies mostly export to the US from third countries to avoid curbs, with US firms seeking higher tariffs on that trade, too.

Biden and Trump are jockeying to be seen as tough on China as they head toward an election rematch in November. Biden signed into law a bill last month that began a countdown for video-sharing platform TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd., or quit the American market.

Trump has promised to hike tariffs on China across the board if reelected, vowing a 60% tax on all Chinese imports. Many Democrats have dismissed that approach, in part because it would raise prices for US consumers grappling with inflation.

During Trump’s last administration, Washington and Beijing became embroiled in a tit—for-tat trade war in which China retaliated with measures that aimed to exact pain in the American heartland by targeting agricultural exports.

US Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, expects Beijing to respond again. “We know how China reacted when Trump put tariffs on,” he said. “They hit agriculture with it. I can’t be sure that China would hit agriculture the same as they did in the Trump ones, but they’re going to hit back.”

Strategic Tariffs 

Biden’s announcement would be formally enacted by the office of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who last month said that she expected a conclusion to a review that began in 2022 to end soon. The administration had been looking at ways to make the tariffs more strategic and effective, she added.

The move comes after Biden last month proposed new 25% tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum as part of a series of steps to shore up the American steel sector and woo its workers in an election year. That vow was viewed as largely symbolic, because China currently exports little of either metal to the US.

Beijing responded with restraint to the threat of metal curbs, imposing tariffs on US propionic acid, an export market worth $7 million to America last year, according to customs data. Still, ramping up tariffs on a broader spectrum of industries could prompt a stronger response from Chinese officials.

The full range of existing duties spans imports from industrial inputs, such as microchips and chemicals, to consumer merchandise including apparel and furniture. Trump imposed the first of the tariffs in 2018, citing section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

For years, internal divisions prevented Biden’s team from arriving at a consensus on what to do about the tariffs. Some officials including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had argued that reducing curbs on household items could help ease US inflation.

While the Biden administration had considered the political implications of changes to the tariffs, USTR in late 2022 began a legally required formal review of their impact. In the absence of such an evaluation, the curbs would have started to automatically expire in mid-2022.

Under Trump, Washington and Beijing reached the so-called phase one agreement in early 2020. That reduced some duties in exchange for China pledging to address intellectual-property theft and increase its purchases of energy, farm and manufactured goods, along with services, by $200 billion in the two years through the end of 2021. China fell more than one third short of its promises.

Biden’s tariff move comes after his nation’s turbulent relationship with China has stabilised in recent months amid a flurry of diplomatic engagements. After the US president met his Chinese counterpart in California last November, Biden said they had achieved “real progress.”

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

BJP’s Kurukshetra candidate Naveen Jindal says those alleging misuse of probe agencies mired in corruption

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Terming the Opposition’s allegations regarding the misuse of central probe agencies as “useless,” Naveen Jindal, BJP’s candidate from the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency, stated that the Opposition, with many of its leaders behind bars, should introspect instead of raising non-issues.

Likening the Opposition to the “alcohol mafia,” he claimed that their leaders are involved in various corruption cases, even validated by courts.

Having served as a Congress MP from the Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency twice, from 2004 to 2014, Jindal switched to the BJP in 2024 and declared his candidacy from the constituency, which he asserts he knows thoroughly due to his long association.

Jindal was nominated for the elections after Kurukshetra’s MP, Nayab Singh Saini, resigned to assume the state’s Chief Ministership. Jindal informed CNBC-TV18 that he is witnessing tremendous support from the people amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s immense popularity.

Regarding farmers’ protests, he regarded them as a thing of the past, asserting that the concerns and confusion of farmers have been addressed, and those who continue to protest are frustrated opposition leaders masquerading as farmers.

Commenting on his electoral agenda, he expressed his desire for farmers’ prosperity and improvement in the quality of education across all government schools, where the majority of children are enrolled.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow