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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Media relations firm aims to help build brand identity for south India talents
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) 1 2 Thiruvananthapuram-based media relations and reputation management company CTLG hopes to help celebs in south India 'build a media and online identity'. Adwaith S, founder of the company, says, 'South Indian artistes have impressive portfolios, but they often miss out on bigger opportunities, because they underestimate the importance of maintaining a strong media and online presence, including not knowing how to market themselves. ' He points out that in 'today's digital landscape, talent alone isn't enough'. 'I've seen incredibly talented artistes lose major deals simply because they lacked a credible and active online presence and marketing. Also, I've encountered individuals with the potential to go national — even global — but they don't know how to position themselves strategically through media coverage and online branding to showcase their work effectively,' he elaborates. CTLG, established in early 2024, has worked with celebs, like actresses Ayesha Khan, Sreeleela, and musicians King, Bismil and Taba Chake, he informs and adds that the company is now looking beyond working with A-list clients. 'We actively seek high-potential public figures ready to commit fulltime to their careers — whether they're musicians or actors,' says Adwaith. He says media visibility attracts brand partnerships and makes for long-term success. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The company, he reveals, hosted a media conference in April, which 'brought together artistes, content creators, journalists and industry professionals to explore the future of storytelling'. He points out that south Indian artistes often navigate their careers without professional guidance. 'Around 85% of artistes here manage their careers independently. While being hands-on is great, it's equally important to have experts who can strategically position them in the industry and curate what's best for their growth. There is now a shift with directors and actors reaching out to us, but there's still a long way to go,' he concludes.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Warm Home Discount explained as 2.7million households set for £150 energy help
In new plans confirmed this week, an extra 2.7 million households will be entitled to the Warm Home Discount this winter - this would increase the number of eligible people to over six million Millions more households will be eligible for £150 off their energy bills this winter as the Warm Home Discount scheme is set to be expanded. The Warm Home Discount gives you £150 directly off your electricity bill. In new plans confirmed this week, an extra 2.7 million households will be entitled to the Warm Home Discount this winter. This would increase the number of eligible people to over six million in total. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government's commitment to put money in people's pockets through our Plan for Change.' What is the Warm Home Discount? The £150 discount is applied to your energy account, as opposed to a direct cash payment into your bank. It is normally applied between October and March. If you're a prepayment meter, you will be sent a top-up voucher. If you live in England and Wales and you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you should receive it automatically. The rules are different in Scotland, where you may need to apply. Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount - and how is it changing? If you live in England and Wales, you currently qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you claim means-tested benefits and have high energy costs. But the Government has now confirmed the high-cost-to-heat threshold for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales, meaning you will now qualify just based on the benefits you claim. If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or you claim a means-tested benefit. Your electricity supplier may have extra eligibility criteria. If you claim Pension Credit in Scotland, then you will get the Warm Home Discount automatically - otherwise, you will need to apply. The level of spend available in Scotland for suppliers is also increasing from this winter. How many more people will get Warm Home Discount? The number of families who will receive the discount for the first time, broken down by region, include: North East England: 100,000 North West England: 280,000 Yorkshire and the Humber: 210,000 East Midlands: 160,000 West Midlands: 270,000 East of England: 250,000 London: 570,000 South East England: 350,000 South West England: 220,000 Wales: 110,000 Scotland: 240,000 Other ways to cut your energy bill If you're struggling, your first step should be to contact your energy provider and ask what help is available. You should ideally do this before you fall behind on a payment. Some of the tailored support you may be offered includes a payment plan, payment breaks and affordable debt repayments. It is also worth asking them if you're definitely on their cheapest deal. If you're a prepayment energy customer and you're worried about running out of power, you should be able to access emergency credit. This is usually worth between £5 and £10, but some may offer more than this - for example, Utilita gives customers up to £15. You should also check if your energy firm offers hardship funds or grants that you don't need to pay back. For example, the British Gas Energy Trust offers help worth up to £2,000. In the winter, there are Cold Weather Payments worth £25 that are issued when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. This is available to people on certain benefits. There are also Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 for pensioner households. Finally, the following charities can offer you support if you are struggling to pay for your energy, or if you are in energy debt:
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Jeff and why does he have 10 nuclear weapons?
While President Donald J. Trump was issuing fresh warnings from the White House — 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple.' — a more peculiar nuclear mystery was unfolding online. This one wasn't about centrifuges spinning in Fordo or uranium stockpiles in Natanz. It was about Jeff. Specifically, a bar chart from CNN titled 'World's Nuclear Arsenals' listed the usual powers: Russia, the United States, France, China, the UK, and so on. But tucked away near the bottom, with fewer than 10 warheads, was an unexpected entrant: Jeff. No flag. No footnote. Just the name — as if he were a rogue microstate with a doomsday arsenal. So who is Jeff? So who is Jeff? To the casual viewer, Jeff might sound like a rogue nuclear actor. A breakaway republic? A tech billionaire with a uranium hobby? A bulky think tank guy? — Cold_Peace_ (@Cold_Peace_) The answer is disappointingly rational. JEFF stands for the Joint Evaluated Fission and Fusion File, a nuclear data library maintained by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). It is not a country and does not possess weapons. It compiles nuclear reaction data for civilian applications — including power generation, reactor safety, and medical isotopes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The latest dataset, JEFF-3.3, released in 2017, is widely used across Europe. What likely happened is a labelling error: a dataset meant to be cited as the source of nuclear information was mistakenly interpreted as an entity with nuclear weapons. This misrepresentation, noted in a 2024 IFLScience article, shows how easily public understanding of complex topics can be distorted — especially when visualised without context. Iran's Nuclear Ambitions While social media turned Jeff into a fictional arms dealer, the real nuclear issue — Iran — continues to escalate. Trump's administration, now back in office, has repeatedly stated that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is non-negotiable. Iran's nuclear programme began under the Shah in the 1950s, with US support through President Eisenhower's Atoms for Peace initiative. The Tehran Research Reactor was built with American assistance. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the programme was briefly suspended but revived in the 1980s with help from Pakistan, Russia, and China — this time without Western oversight. By the early 2000s, Iran's nuclear activities drew intense scrutiny. In 2002, dissident groups revealed secret enrichment facilities at Natanz and Arak, prompting IAEA investigations. Iran maintained that its goals were peaceful — energy independence and medical research — but limited inspector access and evidence of weaponisation work raised alarms. This led to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Iran agreed to restrict uranium enrichment and submit to international inspections in exchange for sanctions relief. In 2018, Trump withdrew from the deal, citing weak enforcement and sunset clauses. Since then, Iran has significantly expanded its enrichment activities. As of 2025, it is enriching uranium to 60% purity — just shy of weapons-grade — and is believed to have enough material for a bomb within weeks, if it chooses to proceed, according to IAEA assessments. Trump has responded with blunt consistency: 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.' Not as a slogan, but as a foreign policy red line.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Keerthy Suresh on what drew her to 'Uppu Kappurambu': Its blend of satire, heart
The makers of Telugu film "Uppu Kappurambu" unveiled its trailer on Thursday and its lead actress Keerthy Suresh said the unique blend of satire and heart drew her to the film. "What drew me to Uppu Kappurambu was its unique blend of satire and heart," said Keerthy. Talking about her character, she added, "Apoorva is a refreshingly different character. She's idealistic, determined, and a little out of her depth. It was an absolute joy to bring her character to life, especially in a world so rooted in our rural culture." She said that the film uses humour and local flavour to spotlight something serious, and that's what makes it hit home. The Telugu Original Movie is a satire comedy set in a fictional South Indian village grappling with increased pressure on its burial infrastructure. It also stars Suhas, Babu Mohan, Shatru, and Talluri Rameshwari. As per the statement, the film is set in the early 1990s, unfolds in Chitti Jayapuram, a seemingly quiet village with a very bizarre crisis, it's run by Uppu Kappurambu out of space to bury the dead. As the newly appointed, idealistic village head Apoorva takes charge, she faces ridicule from locals who are uncomfortable with a woman in power. Determined to fix things, she turns to Chinna, the quirky graveyard caretaker, whose own motives spark unintended chaos. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "Playing Chinna was unlike anything I've done before," shares Suhas. He added: "He's a simple guy caught in a very odd and layered situation. The trailer beautifully captures the tone of the film. It's quirky, emotional, and full of surprises. What I love about Uppu Kappurambu the most is that it never tries to be preachy. The trailer is just a peek, there's a lot more madness and emotion waiting to be discovered." Produced by Radhika Lavu, under the banner of Ellanar Films Pvt Ltd, the film is directed by Ani. I.V. Sasi, Uppu Kappurambu will premiere on Prime Video on July 4.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tougher rules for foreign students; Trump team enforces social media checks — what changes now?
Representational Image The Donald Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it is restarting visa interviews for foreign nationals who want to study in the United States. This comes a month after the administration temporarily halted new student visa interviews amid its plans to scrutinise social media accounts of such applicants. The vetting process As per the State Department, consular officers will conduct a "comprehensive and thorough" vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants. Also Read | One post, many consequences: How social media can shape a student's future in the USA To facilitate this, the applicants will have to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to public. What does this mean? Individuals who want to study in America can now schedule their interviews for students visas, but they will be required to unlock their social media accounts for a review by the US government. Also Read | US makes it clear: We will revoke or deny visa if your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter posts are in support of ... In a notice, announcing resumption of the suspension of student visa processing, the State Department announced that new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to 'public' for a US government review could be rejected. According to the notice, a refusal to make social media handles public "could be a sign they (applicants) are trying to evade the requirement or hide their online activity." "Consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles," it added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Around the world, students have been waiting anxiously for America's consulates to reopen appointments for visa interviews, as the window left to book their travel and make housing arrangements narrows ahead of the start of the school year.
