Prasar Bharati has announced an exciting opportunity for agencies registered with the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) to advertise on its WAVES OTT platform, a release stated. This collaboration enables agencies to reach a wide and diverse audience through innovative digital advertising solutions. Agencies will be responsible for managing their own ad-serving arrangements and covering the associated costs. To encourage partnerships, Prasar Bharati is offering a 20 percent discount on the total business generated by each agency. Additionally, any technical integration costs for setting up ad servers will also be the responsibility of the agencies. Before integrating a new ad server, Prasar Bharati will carefully assess its technical feasibility to ensure compatibility with the platform’s infrastructure. This assessment will include checks for seamless performance, smooth data exchange, and assurance that operations remain unaffected during the integration p

Just a few weeks after electing new office bearers, the Chennai Press Club had organised a carrom contest for its members on January 25 and 26, 2025. A total of 32 teams participated in the competition.  George Fernandez and Janakiraman, who clinched first place, took home a certificate of appreciation, a trophy, and a cash prize of Rs. 10,000. R. Sivaprasad and C. Johnson Jayaraj secured second place, receiving a certificate, trophy, and Rs. 5,000. Manoharan and Murugan rounded off the top three, earning a certificate, trophy, and a cash prize of Rs. 2000. The event was inaugurated by Dr R. Vaithinathan, director of information and public relations, and key participants included Karthigaichelvan S, editor of News18, and Vijayakumar, associate editor at The Hindu. The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals were held on Sunday, January 26. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, member secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, was the chief guest. He honoured the winners with c

In what appeared to be a scene out of a biopic on Latin American drug lords, two senior politicians in Uttarakhand went at each other with loaded weapons in broad daylight with the police and entire law enforcement watching as mute spectators as the nation celebrated its 76th Republic Day. At least 100 rounds were fired by former BJP MLA Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion and his supporters at the residence of independent MLA Umesh Kumar spreading fear and panic in the region. Hot Off The Press  A video of the incident, which evoked widespread condemnation, showed Champion, along with over two dozen supporters, storming the camp office-cum-residence of Kumar in a gang-war style shootout, firing gunshots, heckling the MLA’s staff and beating up people. Champion could be seen in the footage loading an assault rifle, firing shots and walking around Kumar’s office premises with a rifle in one hand and a pistol in the other, reported Tapan Susheel and Kalyan Das for The Times of Indi

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has filed an $8 million (approximately Rs 70 crore) counterclaim against Star India, in an ongoing arbitration over the failed ICC media rights agreement. According to Business Today, the counterclaim seeks to recover Rs 69 crore paid by ZEEL under the disputed contract. The disagreement stems from an Alliance Agreement signed in August 2022, under which Star was to sub-license TV broadcasting rights for ICC men’s cricket events from 2024 to 2027 to ZEEL. The deal fell apart in June 2024, with Star terminating the agreement, alleging contractual breaches by ZEEL. In March 2024, Star initiated arbitration, demanding enforcement of the agreement or damages amounting to $940 million. ZEEL has refuted the claims, arguing that the deal became void due to Star’s alleged failure to meet its commitments. The matter is currently being heard by a three-member tribunal at the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). Star alleges t

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has termed the country’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules a potential “global template.”   Vaishnav emphasized the ability of  DPDP rules to balance fostering innovation with robust regulation in an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18 at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He also highlighted how this inclusive approach created a flexible and adaptable framework.   Criticizing the European Union’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) for stifling innovation, Vaishnaw remarked, “Even at Davos, a senior leader said this is the template the world will follow now—not the GDPR anymore. India’s rules adopt a practical, principle-based approach to addressing the rapidly changing technological landscape.”  Vaishnaw stressed the importance of flexibility, stating, “Technology will change. We must not hardcode things; instead, the rules must remain adaptable.”   The DPDP framework ensures efficient implementation an

US President Donald Trump has warned business barons at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that they will face tariffs if they make their products abroad. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, Trump said, “My message to every business in the world is very simple, come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth... But if you don’t make your product in America... then very simply, you will have to pay a tariff.” While a lot has been discussed about Trump's return and what it could mean for India, R Jagannathan, a columnist for The Times of India, argues that it could be "Modi's 1991 Moment" for pushing reforms aggressively and cites the US sanctions post-nuclear tests that actually worked in accelerating reforms. "We must accelerate the momentum of reforms the same way Manmohan Singh and Narasimha Rao did in 1991, and as Vajpayee did in the early 2000s when the US sanctioned India post-nuclear tests,"

Ray McCoy, the Drive host on Radio 88.9/99.5 FM, has been inducted into the Australian Country Music Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame at the 53rd Tamworth Country Music Festival, Radio Info reported. This prestigious honor recognizes broadcasters who have significantly contributed to the growth and promotion of Australian country music. George Frame, CEO of Radio 88.9/99.5, praised McCoy for his significant contributions to the country music industry, saying, "Ray, you have carried the torch of country music as we’ve seen it progress into the mainstream of music in this country. Well done, mate." Frame’s words highlight McCoy's vital role in shaping the success of Australian country music over the years. A passionate advocate for country music, McCoy has been instrumental in bringing the genre into the Australian mainstream and helping it earn a prominent place on national music charts. In addition to his Drive show, McCoy co-hosts The Hottest Australian Country Hits and The Americ