Salman Khan fans burst crackers in theatre during Antim screening. Here’s what the actor had to say

Actor Salman Khan shared a video of a screening of his latest movie, Antim, and requested his fans to avoid bursting crackers inside movie theatres as it could endanger their lives.

Salman Khan posted a screening video of ‘Antim’ and requested his fans to not burst firecrackers inside cinema halls.

As moviegoers flocked to the nearest cinema halls to catch Salman Khan’s latest, Antim: The Final Truth, a screening video of the movie showed fans bursting crackers inside a theatre. The actor took to his social media account to share the video and requested his fans to avoid bursting firecrackers inside cinema halls as it could be a huge fire hazard.

Salman Khan posted the video on his Instagram account with the caption, “Request all my fans not to take fire crackers inside the auditorium as it could prove to be a huge fire hazard thereby endangering your lives and also others. My request to theatre owners not to allow fire crackers to be taken inside the cinema and security should stop them from doing so at entry point. Enjoy the film by all means but please please avoid this is my request to all my fans .. thank u.”

ALSO READ: When Salman Khan is in the frame, no one looks anywhere else: Antim actor Aayush Sharma
ALSO READ: Did Disha Patani get plastic surgery? Viral video from Antim screening sparks rumours

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Allahabad HC grants bail to Sharjeel Imam in sedition case

Allahabad High Court granted bail to Sharjeel Imam on Saturday in the sedition case filed against him.

Allahabad High Court granted bail to Sharjeel Imam in sedition case on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Allahabad High Court on Saturday granted bail to Sharjeel Imam in a case pertaining to alleged provocative speech against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Aligarh Muslim University in 2019.

The bail was granted by Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh of the Allahabad High Court.

A detailed order on Imam’s bail is yet to be issued.

A former JNU student and one of the key organisers of the Shaheen Bagh protest, Sharjeel Imam, was arrested last year from Bihar’s Jehanabad.

In his speech, Imam had purportedly asked protestors to cut off from India.

Police in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh had also lodged FIRs against the JNU scholar. However, the activist got bail in the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh cases.

Sharjeel Imam was also accused of making inflammatory speeches which led to violence outside Jamia Milia Islamia University in December 2019. In April, Delhi Police charged Sharjeel Imam with sedition, alleging his speech promoted enmity between people that led to riots in the Jamia Millia Islamia University area.

An FIR was registered against him in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district and by Delhi Police in January 2020 under IPC sections 124 A (sedition) and 153 A (promoting or attempting to promote disharmony or feelings of enmity on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever), 153B (making statements provoking breach of peace) and 505(2) (statements made which are alarming, false intention to create disharmony) of the Indian Penal Code.

Iman is presently lodged in Tihar jail in Delhi since he has also been charged in the Delhi riots conspiracy case and the Jamia protest violence case.

(This is a developing story. More details awaited)

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T20 World Cup: Trent Boult hopes to mirror what Shaheen Afridi did against India for New Zealand

T20 World Cup 2021: New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult said he is looking forward to bowling with the new-ball against Indian batters in their crunch Super 12 contest on Sunday. India and New Zealand are heading into the tie on the back of defeats to Pakistan.

Trent Boult said he is looking forward to India challenge on Sunday (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSIndia take on New Zealand in a crucial Super 12 match on SundayTrent Boult said he is looking forward to bowling with the new-ball against IndiaShaheen Afridi ran through India’s top-order in Pakistan’s 10-wicket win

New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has sent a warning notice to India ahead of their big-ticket T20 World Cup 2021 clash in Dubai on Sunday. Boult said he will look to make good use of the new ball and hope to mimic what Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi did against India in their Super 12 opener last Sunday.

Shaheen Afridi jolted India’s top-order to get Pakistan’s campaign up and running in the T20 World Cup. The 21-year-old made good use of the conditions with the new ball in Dubai, removing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul inside the first 3 overs of their big-ticket match. Shaheen got the ball to swing into the right-handers and dismissed Rohit for a golden duck with an unplayable yorker and castled Rahul with a bit of extra pace and swing.

Trent Boult will be leading New Zealand’s pace attack on Sunday, knowing India batsmen have had weaknesses to left-arm pacers in the recent past. In the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Mohammad Amir ran through India’s top-order while Boult did the damage in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.

“I suppose it depends on when I get the ball, I am not sure what the plan is with what overs certain bowlers are bowling. The way Shaheen bowled against India was amazing, but yeah India has quality batters, early wickets are the focus for us but we need to be nice and accurate of where we are trying to put the ball. Hopefully, it swings around a little bit and I can mirror what Shaheen did the other night,” Boult told the press on the eve of India’s clash against New Zealand.

Teams batting second have managed to win matches in Dubai in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup but Boult said New Zealand can’t be relying on the toss and will look to do well in whatever opportunities they get.

India managed to post 151 against Pakistan in Dubai in their tournament opener but Babar Azam’s men got to the target in just 17.5 overs without losing a wicket.

“Whatever we do first, we need to do it well. India brings a lot of challenges, they are a quality side. But with the ball, we just need to be clear in our options on how to shut these people down and obviously give them a bigger chase as possible if we bat first. We look forward to taking it on,” Boult added.

Guptill fit for India clash, confirms Boult

There were doubts over Martin Guptill’s availability for the big-ticket clash against India in the Super 12 after he suffered a bruised toe in their match against Pakistan but Boult said the big-hitting opener is ready to take the field on Sunday.

“He is pretty good, he trained fully yesterday. He is definitely a big piece of the puzzle for us at the top of the innings. He is good to go,” he said.

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T20 World Cup: All-rounder Ben Stokes predicts England vs Pakistan final on November 14

Star all-rounder Ben Stokes has predicted the England vs Pakistan final in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be played on November 14. Stokes’ reaction came after Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by five wickets to register their third straight victory.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes (Image Courtesy: Reuters)

HIGHLIGHTSBen Stokes predicts England vs Pakistan final on November 14Stokes reaction came after Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by five wicketsEngland had registered with wins over West Indies and Bangladesh

Asif Ali hit four sixes in the penultimate over as Pakistan completed a hat-trick of victories in the T20 World Cup with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in a Super 12 Group 2 match in Dubai on Friday.

Just after Pakistan registered their third straight win, star all-rounder Ben Stokes predicted an England vs Pakistan final in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be played on November 14.

“England vs Pakistan Final ???,” wrote Stokes on Twitter.

England vs Pakistan Final ???

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 29, 2021

Pakistan had earlier defeated arch-rivals India by 10 wickets in Dubai on October 24 and followed it up with a five-wicket win against New Zealand. The three wins have virtually put Pakistan in the semifinals of the tournament.

England, on the other hand, had registered with wins over West Indies and Bangladesh. They hardly broke a sweat in those games but Australia are likely to pose a much tougher challenge.

Skipper Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib’s unbeaten knocks in a splendid rearguard action had steered Afghanistan to a competitive 147 for six after they were gasping at 76 for six.

Pakistan overhauled the target in 19 overs, a victory which consolidated their top spot in the points table and enhanced their semifinal chances with minnows Scotland and Namibia up next for them. His side needing 24 runs from the last two overs, Asif Ali (25 off 7 balls) finished the job in 19th over, hitting four sixes off Karim Jannat.

Ben Stokes also praised the hard-hitting Pakistani batter Asif Ali and wrote: “Remember the name @AasifAli2018.”

Remember the name @AasifAli2018

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 29, 2021

Ben Stokes, who was on the receiving end when Carlos Braithwaite smashed him for four sixes in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Former West Indies pacer, Ian Bishop, who was doing commentary in the last over, had said ‘Carlos Braithwaite, remember the name,’ on air about the West Indies all-rounder.

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Ache din? Indians are now buying iPhones in big numbers and Tim Cook is happy

iPhone is too expensive for India. We have heard this again and again. But it seems the times are changing. It’s going all well for Apple lately, and the latest quarter earnings report kind of stresses that. Those following the tech space and especially the smartphone industry may recall that Apple had a minuscule market share in the Indian smartphone industry until a few years back. But, that’s no longer the case, with the company registering a fantastic quarter in India where it doubled its business. On top of that, Counterpoint Research is out with its latest report that corroborates Apple’s results.

In Q3 2021, the market research firm claims Apple was the fastest growing brand this quarter with 212 per cent year-on-year growth. While the company now leads the premium smartphone market (phones above Rs 30,000) with a comprehensive 44 per cent market share. Moreover, the market research firm adds that Apple is also leading the ultra-premium segment (phones above Rs 45,000) with a 74 per cent market share. Apple CEO Tim Cook, during the earnings call, said that during fiscal 2021, Apple doubled its business in India, which is a big feat for the company. But, what exactly has changed at Apple that’s driving the sales in the country? We will try to break it down for you in this article.

Bigger iPhone screens

Yes, the display. Since 2017, Apple has evolved its design to offer more screen real estate and get rid of the thick bezel with the signature home button at the bottom. The result is the current iPhone line-up includes iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13 series – all of which offer a decent screen size. But, Apple hasn’t given up on its compact form factor idea, and that’s why we still have the iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 mini.

What this means is, compared to its Android rivals, Apple now offers smartphones with around a 6-inch display which is a good enough size for watching movies, streaming shows or browsing the Internet on the go. Currently, Apple is selling iPhones starting at 4.7-inch screen size all the way to 6.7-inch, which means there’s something for everyone.

Timely iOS updates for everyone

Believe it or not, software updates are important, and Apple has been nailing it for so many years that Google’s Android is yet to have level ground. But, there are reasons for that, which we will explore in some other piece, but largely, this puts users at an advantage when buying an iPhone compared to an Android device.

A recent example is the iOS 15 update that was pushed days after the unveiling of the iPhone 13 series. iOS 15 is available for iPhone 6s users. So a phone that launched in 2015 is still getting updates. While in the parallel Android universe, devices stop getting OS updates after a maximum of three years. That’s almost double the amount compared to Android.

But that’s not the real problem for Android users. Let’s say you bought an Android device in 2021 and are waiting for the Android 12 update by early 2022. But, surprisingly, the Android manufacturer will prefer to release it sooner for newer smartphones launching in 2022 and keeping the 2021 devices in the second phase. Unfortunately, that’s the case with the majority of Android manufacturers globally. And that’s where iPhones succeed.

The Bionic advantage over other chips

Apart from the display and software updates, if there’s another crucial factor that has given iPhones a push it has been the chipset. Apple’s Bionic chipsets are capable processors, and that means, if you’re using the iPhone 11 that launched in 2019, the A13 Bionic chip is still a good processor for most of your everyday tasks, including gaming.

Compared to the Android landscape that majorly has Qualcomm and MediaTek chipsets around the Rs 40,000 mark, the Bionic chip either offers better or comparable performance. Well, you can check benchmark scores to give you a clearer picture, but this is the bottom line.

India’s premium phone segment is stagnant

The premium Android smartphone landscape is passing through a dry spell. And, I don’t mean to say that there are no phones that you can buy, but there is a dearth of decent options that I get to recommend to people whenever there’s a “what to buy” question thrown at me.

When looking at the market, the offerings above Rs 50,000 include limited Android options, like the OnePlus 9 Pro, Oppo Find X2, and Vivo X70 Pro+. There are a few Samsung phones, but then they are too costly and come at around a lakh.

Funnily, this isn’t the case with iPhones. With the iPhone 13 launch last month, Apple dropped the prices of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini in India. While the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR – both with a 6.1-inch display – continue to sell at accessible price points. What this means is there’s an iPhone from Rs 30,000 to Rs 180,000. The recent festive online sales saw massive discounts on the iPhone 12, and even Counterpoint adds that the strong demand for the iPhone 12 was one major factor in Apple’s growth.

T20 World Cup: Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan apologises fans back home after defeat against Pakistan

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who on Friday became the fastest bowler to pick 100 T20I wickets, offered an unconditional apology to the fans back home after their defeat against Pakistan in Dubai.

Rashid bagged the wickets of Hafeez and Babar Azam but was still unable to stop Pakistan from completing a 5-wicket win in Dubai.

Sorry to all the fans back home and all around the world not giving you victory to celebrate and bring smile on your faces BUT Your support and prayers will be imp for the rest of the games.Thank you everyone for your msges 100th T20 international wkts

AFGHANISTAN ZINDABAD pic.twitter.com/PAo5TRQpa0

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) October 30, 2021

“Sorry to all the fans back home and all around the world not giving you victory to celebrate and bring smile on your faces,” Rashid Khan wrote on Twitter.

“BUT Your support and prayers will be important for the rest of the games.”

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez became Rashid’s 100th T20I victim in his 53rd innings.

Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga had held the previous record by completing his century in 76 matches.

“Thank you everyone for your messages 100th T20 international wkts,” said Rashid.

Amid unbearable tension and a cacophony of noise, Afghanistan’s players were in sight of the biggest win in their country’s cricketing history.

With four aggressive strikes, Asif Ali took it away from them.

Pakistan’s power hitter smashed four sixes in the next-to-last over of a thrilling match at Dubai International Stadium to seal a five-wicket win over its plucky neighbor on Friday.

Set 148 to win, Pakistan appeared to be timing its chase to perfection, only to lose key batters Babar Azam (51) and Shoaib Malik (19) in the space of six balls and find itself needing 24 runs with two overs remaining.

They all came in one blazing six-ball spell that evoked memories of Carlos Braithwaite’s four straight sixes to seal the West Indies’ win over England in the 2016 final.

Taking on the medium pace of Karim Janat, Asif cleared the long-off boundary off the first ball, the midwicket boundary off the third ball and powered another six down the ground off the fifth ball.

With the six runs still needed to win, Asif gave himself room and crunched Janat’s sixth ball for six over extra cover to clinch a third straight win in the Super 12s for Pakistan, which had already dispatched India and New Zealand.

Asif finished on 25 not out off just seven balls and his team is now a big favorite to be one of the two semifinalists to come from Group 2, with Pakistan’s remaining games against qualifiers Namibia and Scotland.

WhatsApp to reward users with Rs 51 cashback for using payments feature

It has been reported that WhatsApp is already rewarding its users with Rs 51 cashback for using its payments feature

HIGHLIGHTSWhatsApp was spotted testing cashback on its payment feature a couple of weeks ago.WhatsApp has started offering cash backs for its UPI-based payments.The report starts that the feature is being rolled out to beta users on Android platforms.

WhatsApp was spotted testing cashback on its payment feature a couple of weeks ago. Now it has been reported that WhatsApp is already rewarding its users with Rs 51 cashback for using its payments feature. WhatsApp has rolled out the feature at a time when payments app like PhonePe is charging processing fees for mobile recharges.

As per Business Insider report, WhatsApp has started offering cash backs for its UPI-based payments. The report starts that the feature is being rolled out to beta users on Android platforms. Users are getting a guaranteed cashback to users using the payments feature to send money to different contacts. The report further reveals that the cashback can be availed upto 5 times. The WhatsApp Android beta app shows the banner at the top of the chat window. It displays a banner reading, “GIve cash, get Rs 51 back”. So basically, you can get upto Rs 255 cashback on different payments upto 5 times.

This is a good move by WhatsApp to attract users who heavily rely on payments apps including Google Pay, PayTM, PhonePe. The feature has not been rolled out for the stable audience yet because it was only spotted in the beta version of the app, so the feature must have been accessed by the beta testers. It will likely be rolled out to a larger audience in the days to come

Earlier in September, WhatsApp features tracker spotted the cashback feature. Wabetainfo posted a screenshot that showed a new cashback banner at the top of the chat window. The banner read,” Get cashback on your next payment. Tap to get started”. It was not revealed whether users will get cashback after their first payment or before they make their first payment using the messaging app.

“It is not yet clear if everyone will be able to get the cashback or only users that have never sent a payment on WhatsApp, but WhatsApp is going to clarify this when the feature will be available. Note that this is limited to UPI Payments in India, you can only get one cashback and you might receive up to Rs 10 cashback for your payment (but this value may change before the official release of the feature,” the report by wabetainfo read.

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I’m currently focused on my work with Al Sadd: Xavi on Barcelona coaching offer

Barcelona president Joan Laporta indicated on Friday that talks with Xavi, who enjoyed a trophy-laden 17-year spell at the club, had advanced but no agreement had yet been reached.

Xavi signed a contract to extend his stay in charge of Al Sadd for another two years in May (Reuters Photo)

Barcelona great Xavi Hernandez said he is focused on his role as manager of Qatari outfit Al Sadd, amid speculation that he could succeed Dutchman Ronald Koeman at his former club.

La Liga side Barcelona sacked Koeman after a defeat by Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday and have since appointed “B” team coach Sergi Barjuan as interim manager.

Barca president Joan Laporta indicated on Friday that talks with the 41-year-old Xavi, who enjoyed a trophy-laden 17-year spell at the club, had advanced but no agreement had yet been reached.

“I’m currently focused on my work with Al Sadd and I cannot talk about anything else,” Xavi, whose side are preparing for a Qatar Stars League game against Al Ahli on Saturday, told a news conference on Friday.

In May, Xavi signed a contract to extend his stay in charge of Al Sadd for another two years.

He turned down the chance to coach Barcelona in January 2020 after Ernesto Valverde was dismissed, but was linked with the top job at the Camp Nou, even after Koeman succeeded Quique Setien.

“In response to what is circulating recently, the #AlSadd management reaffirms that Xavi has a two-year contract with the club,” Al Sadd tweeted https://twitter.com/AlsaddSC/status/1454180156105494533. He “is fully focused on the team’s upcoming matches, to maintain our lead at the top of the league and to defend the title.”

Barcelona are ninth in LaLiga with 15 points from 10 games, nine points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad, and trailing second-placed Real Madrid by six points. They host Alaves later on Saturday.

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Karbonn launches Made in India Smart LED TVs in India, price starts at Rs 7990

Karbonn, the company known for making budget and feature phones, will now manufacture Smart LED TVs in India at affordable rates.

HIGHLIGHTSSmartphone company Karbonn is all set to venture into the TV market in India.Karbonn has launched Made in India’, ‘Made for India’ range of Smart TVs, and LED TVs.. Karbonn has not revealed the individual pricing of the TVs but revealed that the TVs start at Rs 7990. 

Smartphone company Karbonn is all set to venture into the TV market in India. The company known for making budget and feature phones will now manufacture Smart LED TVs in India at affordable rates. The company has announced aggressive plans to democratise the promising Smart TV segment with the launch of its new ‘Made in India’, ‘Made for India’ range of Smart TVs, and LED TVs. The company has partnered with Reliance digital for the sale of their new range of Smart TVs.

Talking about the Smart TVs, Pardeep Jain, MD Karbonn said, “With the rise of Digital India, the Bharat consumers of the New Informed World are more educated, well-informed, and value-oriented with greater respect for Made in India products. With the launch of our new range of Smart LED TVs and LED TVs, we intend to deliver ‘value for money and the latest innovations to the rising population of Smart TV consumers of the New Bharat. Being one of the torch-bearers of the smartphone revolution in India, Karbonn has democratized features as well as smartphones and now we are set to rewrite the future of Smart TVs for masses.”

Interestingly, the Karbonn has launched TVs in different sizes and TVs are believed to be value for money. The Smart LED TV range consists of three models- KJW39SKHD, KJW32SKHD (Bezel-less Design) & KJWY32SKHD, and the LED TV range has KJW24NSHD & KJW32NSHD models to amplify the entertainment experience of consumers. Smart TVs offer a bezel-less design with a powerful sound system. Karbonn has not revealed the individual pricing of the TVs but revealed that the TVs start at Rs 7990.

“The Smart LED TV range offers incredible audio with a flowing sound, a wide viewing angle for a theatre-like experience, a beautiful HD display for a unique visual experience, and much more. With a pre-installed Movie box, users can enjoy tons of movies for unlimited entertainment. Offering seamless connectivity, the Smart TV can swiftly be connected with multiple devices. The HD-ready display of the KJW24NSHD & KJW32NSHD LED TV range makes visuals lifelike and its unique and remarkable design is capable of creating a significant impression on living spaces,” the company said in a statement.

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French Open: India’s campaign ends after PV Sindhu loses to Sayaka Takahashi in semifinals

PV Sindhu lost to Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi in the semifinal and with that defeat, India’s campaign at the French Open 2021 ended.

PV Sindhu knocked out of French Open (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSPV Sindhu was knocked out of the French Open 2021PV Sindhu lost to Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi in semi-finalSindhu’s defeat meant India’s campaign at French Open ended

India’s campaign at the ongoing French Open 2021 badminton tournament came to a disappointing end after double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu lost to Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi in the semifinals on Saturday. Sindhu bowed out of the French Open after losing 21-18, 16-21, 12-21 to Takahashi in the women’s singles semifinals.

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