Actor Kenneth Mitchell, who starred in Marvel’s Captain Marvel and the television series “Star Trek: Discovery,” passed away, according to a statement his family posted on his verified social media accounts on Sunday.

The family said, “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son, and dear friend.” In 2018, Mitchell received an ALS diagnosis. In recent years, he and his family have periodically updated each other on his health. Mitchell shared a picture on Instagram in August to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his diagnosis.

“My brother commented that the store doesn’t have a happy ALS Anniversary card. But today, I want to honour the gift of life. I’m incredibly grateful that I have today ahead of me. Five years is a long time. So much gained, so much lost. A problematic period interspersed with an abundance of blessings, Mitchell penned at the time. “Friends and family, caregivers, and medical professionals who consistently come to my family’s aid are at the centre of it all—extending an abundance of love, support, care, and inspiration. That is so very beautiful. This illness is horrifying. But there are many things to be thankful for despite all the pain.

Canadian-born Mitchell accumulated over 50 credits in films and television shows during his acting career. In Marvel’s 2019 film “Captain Marvel,” he portrays Carol Danvers’ father; in the 2004 hockey movie “Miracle,” he plays an Olympic hopeful. Mitchell starred in numerous television shows, such as “Switched at Birth,” “Jericho,” and “The Astronaut Wives Club.” Mitchell portrayed the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, Tenavik, and Aurelio in “Star Trek: Discovery” from 2017 to 2021.

“Perspective and cultural understanding are the key factors in determining an individual’s goodness or badness,” he stated to StarTrek.com in 2017. “On our show, you’ll get to know the Klingons, and then people can judge whether or not we’re the bad guys.”

Those close to Mitchell remembered him as a “hope seeker, daydreamer, dream believer” in addition to his acting roles. In a statement, Mitchell’s family expressed gratitude for his courage in the face of illness.

“Regardless of his later disabilities, Ken discovered a higher calling to be more fully himself for his kids,” they wrote. “For five and a half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. In the most accurate Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a whole and joyous life in each moment. Mitchell is survived by his wife, Susan, and their two young children.

According to a Bloomberg report, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Walt Disney Co. have inked a legally binding agreement to combine their media operations in India, marking a significant milestone in the entertainment sector.

According to the agreement, Disney will hold the remaining shares of the combined company, with the Reliance media unit and its affiliates expected to own at least 61% of it. At a $3.9 billion (Rs 33,000 crore) valuation, Disney reportedly consented to sell Viacom 18 61% of its India business.

Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), owns Viacom18.
There were rumours earlier this month that Disney had agreed to sell Viacom18 60% of its Indian operations. It is anticipated that the deal will have a significant impact on India’s media and entertainment sector.

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Sony of Japan and Zee Entertainment withdrew their merger proposal last month because of differences over who would lead the combined media company. In response to criticism from activist shareholder Nelson Peltz regarding inadequate succession planning, Disney recently named two new directors in late November: Sir Jeremy Darroch, the former group chief executive of Sky, and James Gormon, the CEO of Morgan Stanley.

While the company was “considering options,” Walt Disney CEO Iger stated during a November earnings call that the company would prefer to remain in India to “strengthen our hand, improve the bottom line.” Disney has now entered India three times. KK Modi’s Group formed an alliance with them for the first time in 1993. When Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV went awry, it also bought into it.

The loss of the online rights to stream the highly anticipated IPL tournament from 2023 to 2027, coupled with Disney’s successful acquisition of broadcast TV rights, caused investor enthusiasm for the company’s India business to wane in 2022.

Amid the farmers’ protest, Haryana witnessed another shocking incident; on Sunday, the state chief of Indian National Lok Dal, Nafe Singh Rathee, was shot dead in Bahadurgarh, Jhajjar. Former MLA was in his fortuner car when the murders attacked him. The attackers were in a Hyundai i-10 and hit 40-50 rounds of fire on Rathee’s car. Along with Rathee, three private security gunmen were in the car, and his nephew was driving the vehicle. After the incident, Nafe Singh Rathee was taken to the hospital, where the doctors tried their best to save him. 

As per the inputs received by Haryana Police, the Gang of Lawrence Bishoni was behind the attack. Rathee was the main culprit in the suicide case of Jagdish Rathee, son of former BJP minister, in 2023. 

Who was Nafe Singh Rathee?

Nafe Singh Rathee was a well-known Jat leader and a former MLA. After the INLD refused to give him a ticket, he briefly joined the BJP in 2014 and left the party. However, the BJP did not offer him a ticket either, so Rathee ran alone. In 2018, he returned to INLD. Additionally, Rathee presided over the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council for two terms.

He was deeply troubled last year when Jagdish Rathee, the son of former BJP minister Mange Ram Rathee, committed suicide and declared him to be the primary accused. He was charged with aiding and abetting suicide. According to Jagdish’s family, he took his own life because Nafe Singh was pressuring him over a property-related issue.

Kapila Nagpal, an experienced orator and a magnetic storyteller, emerged as a prominent figure in the field of mentorship. As a revered founder of both “The Career Stories” & “Little Readers Club.” The Career stories is a youtube interview channel where she hosts notable personalities from different fields and guides the youngsters in achieving their career goals. At Little Readers Club, she helps an individual in overall linguistic development as well as all round personality development through engaging activities. 

Her journey is marked by a passion for narrative excellence and a commitment to nurturing professional and personal growth with the love of reading in others. With a wealth of experience as a speaker, she stands at the forefront of guiding individuals through their career paths, sharing valuable insights, and fostering a community of curious readers. Kapila’s dedication to empowering others with these initiatives underscores her as a guiding light of inspiration in mentorship and storytelling. 

Kapila Nagpal rehabilitates the perspective of life with her stories

Kapila’s remarkable academic journey is evidence of her relentless quest for knowledge. Apart from being a certified happiness coach and storyteller, she also holds an MBA from Delhi University. After completing her education in Delhi, she started her professional career at the most prestigious media house ‘The Hindustan Times.’ 

Driven by her strong desire to become an educationist, she left behind her well-paid job and started her journey as a freelance teacher in 2010. She fused her unique way of storytelling and her love for teaching together and started delivering in the best possible way. With a profound commitment to guiding individuals towards a better version of themselves, she has more than five sigma training programmes at Hindustan Times. With her captivating skills, she enlightened the British Council in New Delhi by doing a seminar on the ‘Role of Information Technology.

Kapila’s role involve­s managing training sessions for both small and large groups. She aims to me­et the learning goals of individuals and organisations. He­r main tasks include leading training programs that increase­ sales knowledge and inte­rpersonal skills, which help in caree­r progression and workplace success. Kapila regularly reviews the­ training needs of businesse­s and modifies employee­ development and e­ducational plans as needed. More­over, she is committed to improving worke­rs’ skills in communication and presentations.

Harry Sangha, originally named Hardeep Singh Punni, has emerged as a prominent figure within the Khalistan community, advocating for the rights of farmers and supporting their cause amid the ongoing farmer protests in India. These protests have brought to light the struggles faced by farmers, particularly concerning the issue of minimum support price (MSP) for their agricultural produce.

Sangha has been an outspoken supporter of the farmer protests, which have garnered international attention. The farmers are demanding the repeal of three contentious farm laws passed by the Indian government, which they believe will exploit them and dismantle the MSP system, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by corporations. Sangha has lent his voice to amplify their demands and raise awareness about their plight.

One of the key issues driving Sangha’s activism is the government’s heavy-handed approach towards the farmers. Instead of addressing their legitimate grievances, the authorities have resorted to repression and violence, leading to injuries and even deaths among the protestors. Sangha has condemned these actions and has called for justice and accountability for those responsible.

In addition to raising awareness, Sangha has also provided tangible support to the farmers. Recognizing the need for medical assistance for those injured during the protests, Sangha has contributed funds to provide medical facilities and aid to the affected farmers. His efforts have helped alleviate some of the hardships faced by the protestors and their families, underscoring his commitment to their cause.

Sangha’s involvement in supporting the farmers’ protests goes beyond just monetary contributions. As a member of the Khalistan community, he brings attention to the intersectionality of issues faced by farmers and marginalized communities. The struggle for farmers’ rights is intricately linked to broader socio-political and economic injustices, and Sangha’s advocacy serves to highlight these interconnected struggles.

Despite facing criticism and backlash from various quarters, Sangha remains steadfast in his support for the farmers’ movement. He continues to use his platform to amplify their voices and push for meaningful change. His dedication to the cause underscores the importance of solidarity and collective action in addressing systemic injustices.

In conclusion, Harry Sangha, formerly known as Hardeep Singh Punni, has emerged as a prominent advocate for farmers and the Khalistan community. His support for the farmer protests in India, along with his contributions to their cause, reflects his commitment to social justice and equity. As the protests continue, Sangha’s activism serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those fighting for their rights and dignity.

Read Here Farmers protest 2.0

India is a country with a thriving cultural heritage. Additionally, the nation is quickly developing into a sanctuary for consumers looking for an unmatched shopping experience. In recent decades, there has been a significant transformation in the nation’s shopping landscape. The days of having to travel to crowded, dusty haats or open-air markets, where haggling was a skill, are long gone. These markets have been replaced by air-conditioned malls that offer a world of carefully curated experiences beyond simple buying and selling.

Malls are now more than just shopping places; they are also centres of dining, entertainment, and leisure, providing everything needed for a complete family outing. In this article, we will be sharing details of 7 biggest malls in India. 

7 Biggest Malls in India

1. Lulu International Shopping Mall, Kochi 

The Lulu International Shopping Mall in Kochi is a one-stop shopping destination that doubles as an amusement park. With more than 300 stores, the 45.9-acre mall is large. One of the biggest malls in India, it features a nine-screen cinema, a bustling food court, a range of brands, and an ice rink. Designer clothing, regional specialities, cutting-edge gaming, and family-friendly entertainment are all available at Lulu Mall, renowned for being a one-stop shop for a fantastic shopping and entertainment experience.

2. DLF Mall of India, Noida 

With its 2 million square feet of retail heaven dominating the Noida skyline, DLF Mall of India is more than just a place to shop. For foodies, fashionistas, and families looking for a complete leisure experience, it’s a bustling playground. The mall has more than 350 stores, a 7-screen movie theatre, a varied food court, and areas just for kids’ entertainment.

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3. Ambience Mall, Gurugram

Ambience Mall is one of the best shopping centres in Gurgaon that offers leisure and luxury. This 1.8 million-square-foot mall is home to over 250 upscale retailers, including well-known jewellery labels and designer clothing boutiques. Fine dining establishments satisfy discriminating palates, and a 7-screen PVR movie theatre offers cinematic escapes.

4. Mantri Square Mall, Bengaluru

One of India’s best and largest shopping centres is Mantri Square Mall, tucked away in the centre of Bengaluru’s Malleshwaram neighbourhood. With five department stores, over 250 stores featuring national and international brands, and a bustling food court to satisfy cravings, this place has it all. In addition to stores, Mantri Square Mall has an INOX theatre with all the bells and whistles. 

5. Inorbit Mall, Hyderabad 

With one million square feet of retail space, the sprawling shopping haven known as Inorbit Mall in Hyderabad draws crowds of people. With more than 200 stores carrying both national and international favourites, it is a haven for brand enthusiasts. In addition to retail, the mall has a lively entertainment area with a multiplex, an exciting game arcade, and a bowling alley.

6. Elante Mall, Chandigarh

Elante Mall, a brilliant gem in Chandigarh’s crown, offers visitors an experience rather than just a place to shop. Its elegant 1.15 million square feet are home to more than 200 stores, ranging from local boutiques to global fashion giants, to suit every taste and budget.

7. Select Citywalk, New Delhi 

Select Citywalk is a lifestyle destination in the centre of Delhi’s fashionable Saket district. The 1.3 million square foot mall has over 200 upscale designer retailers, hip cafes, and a six-screen movie theatre. Whether you’re looking for a blockbuster, a gourmet bite to eat, or fashion inspiration, Select Citywalk provides a carefully curated experience that combines luxury and urban charm. 

According to global banking group Morgan Stanley, India’s economic growth is predicted to drop from 6.9% expected for FY2024 to 6.5% in the financial year (FY) 2025.”As for growth, it will continue to be robust. As of December 2023, GDP is projected to grow 6.5% despite decreasing from 7.7% in the first half of FY2024. In its most recent research report on the Indian economy, Morgan Stanley stated, “We expect GDP to average 6.9% in FY2024 and 6.5% in FY2025.”

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank of India has revised its GDP growth projections for FY 2025, bringing them down from 7.3% for FY24, which the National Statistical Office had predicted. Notably, the government increased its forecast for nominal GDP growth in the interim budget released on February 1 to 10.5% from 8.9% in 2023–2024 (without accounting for the inflation rate).

Regarding macro-stability, Morgan Stanley predicted that headline inflation would average 4.5% in FY2025 and 5.4% in FY2024, with a range-bound forecast of 5.0–5.2% in the first quarter of FY24, bolstered by a favourable base effect.

The current account deficit is anticipated to track at 1.2% of GDP in FY24 and 1.3% of GDP in FY25, remaining benign due to the strength of services exports and the decline in global commodity prices, particularly oils. Regarding monetary policy, Morgan Stanley stated, “In our base case, we build in a shallow rate cut cycle of 50 basis points from June 2024, even as we continue to remain vigilant of risks from stronger-than-expected growth (strong credit growth), which could postpone the rate easing cycle.”

Morgan Stanley reported that although macro stability is still comfortable and reflects strength in the fundamentals, domestic demand improved in January. “We continue to view the economy favourably. Worldwide events and the May 2024 elections pose risks, the statement read.

In January, domestic demand increased sequentially and YoY as it slowly increased to a three-month high. GST collections rose to Rs 1.7 lakh crore, the second-highest amount ever, growing 10.4% annually. At the same time, the Manufacturing PMI improved to 56.9, continuing to be expansionary since July 21. Regarding external demand, exports increased 3.1% in January compared to 1% in the previous month.

Oil prices increased for a second day on Thursday due to expectations that demand in the United States, the largest oil consumer in the world, would increase as refineries attempt to resume operations following disruptions and as the dollar depreciated. At 0510 GMT, a barrel of Brent crude futures increased by 17 cents, or 0.2%. The April contract for U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose by 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.10 per barrel.

On Wednesday, oil prices increased by 1%. Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at I.G., stated that geopolitical tensions have contributed to the resilience of oil prices thus far. “Market participants seem to be eyeing a retest of its year-to-date high following its rally in February,” Rong added.

Nevertheless, given the higher-than-expected build in U.S. crude stocks from the API figure overnight, gains may be somewhat contained for the time being as investors wait to see if the EIA numbers are released ahead of schedule, Yeap continued.

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According to market sources citing data from the American Petroleum Institute, crude stocks increased by 7.17 million barrels during the week that concluded on February 16. While distillate fuel inventories decreased, gasoline stockpiles also increased.

Although the refineries are starting to produce again, large-scale outages have caused utilisation rates to drop to their lowest point in two years, contributing to an increase in U.S. crude inventories. According to sources familiar with plant operations, B.P.’s 435,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Indiana, the largest in the U.S. Midwest, will resume total production in March following a power outage that began on February 1.

After a weather-related power outage, TotalEnergies’ 238,000-bpd refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, still operates at a minimal capacity. Still, the company is also working to complete a restart. Based on a Reuters poll, analysts predict that U.S. refinery run rates increased to 81.5% of total capacity last week from 80.6% the week before.

Investors will watch the official U.S. Energy Information Administration inventory data, scheduled for release at 1600 GMT on Thursday but one day later than expected due to a U.S. holiday. A declining U.S. dollar, which lowers the price of oil for traders holding other currencies, also helped support crude.

At 0510 GMT, the dollar index, which compares the value of the U.S. dollar to six significant competitors, dropped to 103.905. Yeap stated, “The U.S. dollar’s decline for the fourth straight session may also strengthen the short-term appeal for oil.”

Jaspreet Singh, the Sikh police officer at the heart of the “Khalistani” slur controversy in West Bengal, is an IPS officer from the 2016 batch who is currently the special superintendent in the intelligence branch.

Part of a unique team sent by the West Bengal Police to uphold law and order and look into complaints from villagers in Sandeshkhali, which has been at the centre of a political storm in the state’s North 24 Parganas district, is Singh, who retaliated after being called “Khalistani” while he was speaking to a group of protesting state BJP leaders and workers being led by Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday.

According to police sources, Singh was one of the police officers in charge of upholding law and order and making sure that Section 144 prohibitory orders were followed on Tuesday. Singh had previously served as the district police superintendent for Islampur. In addition, he was the deputy commissioner for the Bidhannagar zone and a member of the Siliguri Police Commissionerate’s special task force. The Raigunj police district employed Singh as an additional SP.

“I have never experienced anything like this in Bengal. I have never heard an elected official say anything so unparliamentary,” Singh said late on Tuesday to a Punjabi news station. Suvendu Adhikari was the leader of the political party whose delegates had arrived. A Section 144 order had been issued, and the legalities were being discussed. During our legal conversation, he referred to me as “Khalistani.” He continued, they were put on the defensive after I retaliated against them for using this word.

There, I was the only Sikh officer assigned; it is unlawful and unparliamentary language to make such a statement after witnessing a turban, according to the IPC. Following that, we got a court order, which we used to justify letting them leave. That was the incident. Action will be taken, I told them,”

Singh remarked

Adhikari refuted the accusation, claiming no one from the BJP had used the term and that they respected the Sikh community, even though the Bengal police claimed in a statement that it was Adhikari who referred to Singh as a “Khalistani.”

Bhagwant Mann, the chief minister of Punjab, described the incident as “extremely unfortunate” in a post on X on Wednesday. The sacrifices made by Punjabis to secure and uphold India’s independence may go unnoticed by the BJP. Mann said in Punjabi that the BJP should apologise to the people of Punjab. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, came out in support of Singh, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denounced the incident.

The Indian government has ordered billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to block specific accounts and links; if this order is not followed, the platform and its staff may be subject to severe fines and jail time.

Given that the social media company sued the Central government in 2022 over content-blocking orders, this represents a new hot spot in the growing conflict between the government of India and the platform. But last year’s decision was not in the company’s favour. In an early-morning post on Thursday, X’s government affairs handle stated that although it was observing New Delhi’s blocking orders, it “disagrees” with its actions.

“We feel that publicising executive orders is crucial for transparency, but we cannot publish them due to legal restrictions. The post stated that “this lack of disclosure can lead to a lack of accountability and arbitrary decision-making.”

“X has been issued executive orders by the Indian government mandating that he act on specific accounts and posts. Failure to comply may result in severe penalties, such as imprisonment and substantial fines,” X stated. “We disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts. However, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone in compliance with the orders.

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According to a senior official in the IT Ministry, the government is examining X’s statement and will respond shortly. According to the company, users whose accounts were affected by the government’s orders received the following notice: “In line with our stance, a writ appeal contesting the Indian government’s blocking orders is still pending. In compliance with our policies, we have also notified the affected users of these actions.

Over the past five years, the platform has experienced difficulties with various stakeholders, including civil society, conservative organisations, the opposition, and the centre. With almost 30 million users, the microblogging platform has found significant success in India.

The most recent argument reminds us of the platform and the Indian government’s growing hostilities during the 2021 farmers’ protest. The Center had requested that the company remove nearly 1,200 accounts due to purported ties to “Khalistan” during the height of those protests. Before that, it had asked that more than 250 accounts—including those of journalists covering the protests—be removed from the platform.

The IT ministry was displeased because X had responded by blocking some of the accounts and then unblocking them. Later, Twitter informed the Indian government that it would not censor the accounts of Indian journalists, activists, or politicians, citing the platform’s freedom of speech.

Nonetheless, the government took issue with the response, stating that the platform could not “assume the role of a court and justify non-compliance”.

As part of the purge, X had given in to pressure and blocked several accounts, including the one of Sukhram Singh Yadav, the leader of the SP and current Rajya Sabha MP. With 244 followers on Twitter at the time, Yadav had been outspoken about the farmer protests in his posts, utilising hashtags like #singhuborder and #kisanektajindabad.

After acquiring the business, Musk referred to Indian regulations as “strict”. It declared that he would follow the government’s blocking orders sooner than risk putting Twitter employees in jail. He was referring to the IT Rules 2021, which provide for the possible imprisonment of the chief compliance officer, a senior representative of social media companies, for breaking the rules.