The family of the first-year Bengali Honours student allege that incessant ragging by seniors could be behind his death, bringing to light the rules and regulations in Indian law, when it comes to offences of such a nature.

While ragging is not a specific offence under the Indian Penal Code, it could be penalised under several of its provisions. Both the Supreme Court and the University Grants Commission have specific guidelines regarding punitive action.

‘He spoke to his mother on Wednesday evening and told her that he wasn’t feeling well. He also told her that he was very scared. When his mother asked him what had happened, he asked her to come soon. He said that he had a lot to tell her,’ the deceased student’s uncle told the media.

‘He wasn’t allotted his own room at the hostel and was staying at a friend’s room,’ he added.

Both the University and the police are currently conducting their respective investigations and have arrested 12 people, including current and former students of the University.

According to those rules, if a comment is made on the appearance or dress of the student or if his/her self-respect is hurt, then it will be considered ragging. It will also be an offence if a student is insulted based on his region, language, race, caste, etc.. If any student is forced to do any work, then that will also come under the category of ragging.

Under the anti-ragging law, if a student is found guilty, he/she can be imprisoned for three years, along with a fine.

Under the law, if a college does not follow the rules or ignores the matter, legal action can be taken against it.

The Power of Newsletter Subscriptions

Newsletters have gone beyond email updates; they have evolved into a direct channel that connects brands with their audiences. The power of newsletters lies in their ability to establish an ongoing connection. By creating newsletters filled with content, brands can provide their subscribers with a wealth of insights, solutions, and updates tailored to subscribers’ unique interests. This shift in the role of newsletters as a means to build brand loyalty is nurtured. Drive conversions highlight their importance in today’s digital world.

Understanding Newsletter Subscription Trends

Personalization: In today’s world of user engagement, personalization is the key. Utilize segmentation techniques and user data to carefully customize newsletter content according to interests and preferences. By providing content that resonates with your audience, you not only boost engagement but also create a sense of excitement among subscribers who eagerly anticipate your emails.

Content Eclecticism: Creating newsletter strategies goes beyond just focusing on sales pitches. It involves adopting an approach that includes a wide range of content. It can include articles, helpful how-to guides, interesting, behind-the-scenes peeks and relatable user stories. By offering this variety of content, you can engage your subscribers. Demonstrate valuable aspects of your brand.

Interactivity for Engagement: Take your newsletters to the level by incorporating interactive elements that engage your readers. Add polls, surveys, and quizzes to encourage active participation and gain valuable insights into what your subscribers prefer and aspire to.

Segmentation for Precision: Leverage the benefits of segmentation by classifying your subscribers based on their information, behavior patterns or levels of engagement. This enables you to create customized promotions and content, greatly increasing the chances of conversions.

Leveraging Popup Trends for Optimal Engagement

Pop-ups, which are often met with a combination of negative feelings, have an intrinsic value that should not be overlooked. However, their effectiveness heavily relies on how they align with user preferences and the genuine value they provide.

Navigating Popup Trends Effectively

The Exit-Intent Enigma

By interrupting users while they browse, exit intent popups appear when users are about to leave your website. When offering them an incentive at this crucial moment, such as a discount code or access to exclusive content, you have the opportunity to persuade users to think twice and engage with your site again.

Timing Is Everything

Timing plays a role in effectively displaying popups. It is important to make sure that popups appear after users have spent an amount of time engaging with your content. This strategic approach ensures that users have had the chance to explore your offerings before encountering subscription prompts or attractive offers.

The Gamification Gambit

Injecting vitality into pop-ups by incorporating elements of gamification can invigorate user engagement. Provide users with the opportunity to spin a wheel revealing enticing discounts or rewards in return for their email addresses. This creative approach not only enhances the overall user experience but also effectively drives lead generation without any disruptions.

Responsive Design for All Devices

With the increase in the use of mobile devices, it is crucial that your popups have designs that are responsive to mobile screens. Providing an experience on both desktop and mobile interfaces leads to improved user satisfaction and engagement.

Balancing the Blend: Newsletter Subscriptions and Popups

The real magic happens when newsletter subscriptions and popups work together harmoniously, creating a captivating experience that deeply connects with users.

Popups with Intrinsic Value

The key to a popup strategy lies in the value proposition it offers. Whether it’s an e-book, exclusive content, or a limited-time discount, the incentive should resonate with your target audience.

Strategic Placement Is Key

Integrate popups smoothly into moments when users are highly engaged or actively searching for information. For example, think about displaying a popup that offers a discount code as soon as a user adds items to their virtual shopping cart.

Consistent Brand Identity

To build a feeling of familiarity and trust, make sure that the design and messaging of your popups perfectly reflect your brand identity. This coherence strengthens brand recognition and nurtures a sense of dependability.

Opt-In Simplicity

The process of subscribing should be clear and easy to understand. Users need to know the advantages of subscribing and the type of content they will receive.

Synergy through Segmentation

Connect the divide between your newsletter subscription and popup tactics by giving users the ability to customize their preferences. Provide choices that empower users to personalize the type of content or offers they receive through both newsletters and popups.

User Value: The North Star

Both newsletter subscriptions and popups are built upon the idea of delivering value to users. When implemented effectively, these strategies enhance users’ online experiences by offering content and opportunities that deeply resonate with them. This resonance leads to increased engagement with website visits and, ultimately, higher conversion rates.

Conclusion

The intertwining paths of newsletter subscriptions and popups hold the potential to redefine your interaction with your audience. By furnishing personalized content, value-rich incentives, and immersive experiences, you forge connections that transcend the virtual world. The key lies in navigating these trends with finesse, striking the perfect equilibrium, and consistently placing the user’s preferences and needs at the forefront. Each interaction serves as a canvas on which you paint your brand’s commitment to delivering value. As users grasp this commitment, they transform from mere subscribers into fervent advocates. In this dance of user value and engagement strategies, true artistry emerges.

Optimove provides an option to allow players and operators to focus on informed decision-making. The goal is to prevent the development of bad gaming habits. The model provided by Optimove uses AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze the player’s behavior and detect patterns that showcase the potential for problem gambling. 

How Does Optimove’s AI Program Work?

Optimove will collect data from several sources, such as gameplay, customer transactions, and customer service discussions. The data is analyzed via algorithms to seek out patterns to show that an individual might be at risk of developing a gambling issue. 

Online gambling has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, thanks to the convenience and accessibility it offers. In this digital age, where online casinos and betting platforms abound, the need to monitor and protect vulnerable individuals has become more critical than ever. 

By tapping into a vast pool of data derived from online gambling activities, Optimove’s sophisticated algorithms can identify subtle behavioral cues that might indicate a potential gambling problem. This proactive approach not only helps the industry uphold responsible gaming standards but also underscores the power of data-driven insights in safeguarding the well-being of online gamblers.

What Happens After Detection?

Once the AI detects that a player is at risk, it will change the messaging sent to the player to promote responsible gambling actions. Players could be provided with details on how to self-exclude or additional support for problem gambling. 

Optimove representatives say that the solution is designed to give operators the tools necessary to remain proactive and prevent members from experiencing problem gambling. Advanced analytics and machine learning can help to identify behavioral patterns that can detect a problem early on. This allows for intervention in the early stages before an addiction can become a full-blown problem. 

The tech is in the early stages, so it is unclear if it will actually help to detect such gambling problems. However, it is still something that operators can consider to provide a safe and responsible gambling environment for their members. 

Responsible Gambling Measures

Overall, online casino sites are supposed to provide responsible gambling measures for their players. Generally, this includes a self-exclusion method, help from support, or additional measures like national or local assistance. 

Operators are to display the responsible gambling measures prominently, and each regulator has additional rules that must be followed to ensure player protection. Customer support should also be trained to detect if players have a gambling problem. This is where the AI technology would come in handy. 

Even though support is supposed to be trained and look for signals of addiction, they don’t always see it. This can be due to not paying attention, not caring, or simply missing it. Several factors are reviewed with AI to determine if a player might have a gambling addiction. These factors are not readily available to customer support representatives. 

AI would seem to have a better shot at detecting an addiction as the computer program would have all the variables to consider. Support has to make decisions based on what a player is stating to them and a few key factors. AI can review all the data and provide a response based on every factor involved in gaming. 

Officials at Optimove feel that responsible gambling is a shared responsibility between the player and operator. Everyone must take accountability. The Optimove solution empowers players to take control of gambling behavior with specific cues. In turn, operators are also to provide their members a safe and responsible gambling environment. 

It will be interesting to see if such technology is implemented across the board or which companies will be the first to try AI programs like the one by Optimove to help their players gamble responsibly. I expect we will see more technology like this in the future as operators try to find secure ways to protect players and maintain the rules and regulations of various online gambling environments. 

Disclaimer:

• As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
• Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976  
• Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
• Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
• Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
• This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.

The best-advanced machine learning course aims at teaching students the latest techniques and algorithms in the field, including deep learning, reinforcement learning, and unsupervised learning. It must also cover the mathematical and statistical foundations of machine learning and hands-on experience with implementing machine learning models in real-world applications. Additionally, it also covers the ethical and societal implications of machine learning.

Opting for an advanced data science course in 2023 has a multitude of advances, primarily because of the growing importance of machine learning across different sectors. The reason for the growing demand is the increasing availability of data. With the proliferation of highly connected devices and the internet, organizations can now collect and store vast amounts of data. This data can be used to train machine learning models but requires skilled professionals to extract insights and make predictions.

1. Microsoft Azure Machine Learning:

Microsoft Azure Machine Learning is a cloud-based platform that allows practitioners to build, deploy, and manage machine learning models. It provides a wide range of tools and services that can be used to create and train machine learning models and deploy them in various environments, including cloud and edge devices.

The platform includes pre-built machine learning models, such as image and text classification and anomaly detection, as a starting point for custom models. It also provides a visual interface for building machine learning workflows, which makes it easy for users to experiment with different models and parameters.

One of the key features of Azure Machine Learning is its ability to scale up or down as needed, so users only pay for the resources they use. This makes it a cost-effective solution for organizations that must train and deploy machine learning models on a large scale.

In addition to the cloud-based platform, Microsoft Azure Machine Learning also provides some other services, including a model management service, an automated machine learning service, and a machine learning studio. These services provide additional functionality, such as automatic model selection and managing models across different environments. Microsoft Azure Machine Learning is a comprehensive platform offering a variety of tools and services for building, deploying, and operating machine learning models.

2. Google TensorFlow:

Google TensorFlow is an open-source machine-learning library for building and deploying machine-learning models. The Google Brain team developed Google TensorFlow, and the TensorFlow community now maintains it. TensorFlow provides many tools for building, training, and deploying machine learning models, including support for deep learning, reinforcement learning, and unsupervised learning.

TensorFlow allows developers to build models using a variety of programming languages, including Python, C++, and Java. It also provides a visual interface called TensorBoard, which allows users to visualize and debug their models.

One of the key features of TensorFlow is its ability to run on various platforms, including desktops, servers, and mobile devices. This allows developers to build models that can be deployed on a wide range of devices, from smartphones to high-performance servers. TensorFlow also provides many pre-built models and models that can be fine-tuned for specific tasks, facilitating developers to get started with machine learning.

Additionally, TensorFlow is a prevalent library in machine learning. It has a large and active community that provides developers with support and resources. It boasts various libraries and packages built on top of TensorFlow, making it a flexible and powerful tool for building machine learning models.

3. OpenNN:

OpenNN (Open Neural Networks Library) is an open-source machine learning toolkit that provides a wide range of tools for building and training neural networks. It is written in C++ and has a Python wrapper.

OpenNN provides many pre-built neural network architectures, such as recurrent neural networks, feedforward neural networks, and convolutional neural networks, which can be used as a starting point for custom models. The library also provides many optimization algorithms, such as gradient descent and the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, that can be used to train neural networks.

One of the key features of OpenNN is its ability to perform advanced optimization and data preprocessing, which is useful for complex tasks such as deep learning and reinforcement learning. OpenNN also provides some tools for data visualization, such as error surface plots, which can be used to debug and analyze neural network models.

4. IBM Watson:

IBM Watson is a collection of AI services and solutions developed by IBM, including natural language processing, machine learning, and data analytics. The most well-known application of IBM Watson is the Watson Discovery service, which allows users to search, analyze and extract insights from large volumes of data. Additionally, IBM offers Watson Studio, which provides a collaborative environment for data scientists and developers to build, test, and deploy AI models. IBM also offers other Watson services, such as Watson Assistant for building chatbots and virtual assistants, Watson Language Translator for natural language translation, and Watson Visual Recognition for image and video analysis. Overall, IBM Watson is a robust set of tools that can be used to analyze and extract data insights and build intelligent applications such as chatbots and virtual assistants.

5. Amazon Machine learning:

Amazon Machine Learning (Amazon ML) is a service provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that allows developers and data scientists to create and deploy machine learning models easily. Amazon ML provides many pre-built algorithms and models, as well as the ability to create custom models using the AWS platform. The service also provides visualization tools and performance metrics to help users evaluate and optimize their models.

Amazon ML is a popular tool because it is easy to use and provides a wide range of functionality for building and deploying machine learning models. It also integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, such as Amazon S3 for data storage and Amazon SageMaker for model deployment, making it an excellent choice for companies already using the AWS ecosystem. Additionally, Amazon ML provides a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which allows users to pay only for the resources they use, making it a cost-effective option for companies of all sizes.

These are the five most popular machine-learning tools. Each tool has advantages and drawbacks, making it suitable for various projects and applications. Practitioners must understand their needs and choose the best tool for their projects.

Conclusion:

In the rapidly evolving domain of machine learning, these five prominent tools play pivotal roles. Microsoft Azure Machine Learning offers versatile cloud-based model management. Google TensorFlow’s open-source strength lies in its adaptability and robust community. OpenNN specializes in intricate neural networks and optimization. IBM Watson provides a holistic AI suite, and Amazon Machine Learning integrates seamlessly with AWS. Project-specific requirements should guide the choice of tool, as they collectively underpin the ever-expanding landscape of machine learning’s potential.

Societies are championing this green wave, turning empty plots into lush gardens. It’s not just about pretty flowers – it’s a statement of unity and care. And guess what? Corporates are diving in too, not just for profits, but as part of their social responsibility agenda. They’re transforming rooftops into vibrant oases, where employees swap suits for gardening gloves. The benefits? Oh, they’re real. Teams are blooming as they bond over potting soil, cultivating not just plants but connections. Workforce wellness shoots up, stress levels plummet, and a breath of fresh air breezes through the office.

Some companies are even teaming up with commercial greenhouse manufacturers, creating futuristic eco-spaces. The result? Plants, people, and profits all flourish side by side. So, whether you’re a small-town group or a big-league company, this green movement is where it’s at – and it’s growing faster than your favorite sunflower.

Institutional Greenhouses: Applications and Benefits

Institutional greenhouses, those purposefully crafted for organizations, go beyond just plant growth – they’re hubs of therapeutic education and purpose-driven gardening. These verdant havens offer a bunch of amazing advantages that go well beyond the usual flora and fauna.

• Therapeutic Escape

These green sanctuaries provide a soothing escape from the hustle-bustle, offering a therapeutic haven where stressed minds can unwind. Engaging in gardening activities amidst vibrant plants can significantly reduce anxiety and boost overall well-being.

• Educational Playground

Institutional greenhouses become living classrooms, where students, young and old, dive into the fascinating world of horticulture. From germination to pollination, every stage teaches valuable lessons about biology, patience, and environmental awareness. It’s hands-on education that’s hard to beat.

• Rare Seeds and Biodiversity Preservation

These green spaces become guardians of biodiversity, nurturing and preserving rare and endangered plant species. By growing and cultivating these unique plants, organizations contribute to the vital task of conserving our planet’s green heritage for generations to come.

• Community Bonding and Social Outreach

These greenhouses naturally draw people together, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Organizations often use them as platforms for social outreach, involving residents in gardening projects that foster a sense of belonging and teamwork.

• Mindful Engagement for Seniors

For institutions working with seniors, these greenhouses offer a wonderful medium for engagement. Elderly individuals find solace and a renewed sense of purpose in tending to plants. It’s an activity that stimulates their senses, encourages mobility, and provides an avenue for meaningful connections.

In a nutshell, institutional greenhouses are like magical pockets of nature where personal pleasure meets community purpose. They provide a hands-on educational experience, a retreat for the weary, a treasure trove of biodiversity, a hub of community bonding, and a fountain of youth for seniors. So, if you’re part of an organization, consider diving into the world of institutional greenhouses – where the benefits grow as abundantly as the plants themselves.

Setting Up an Institutional Greenhouse: A Blooming Endeavor

Embarking on the journey of establishing an institutional greenhouse is an exciting and purposeful endeavor. More than just a space for plants, it’s a hub of education, therapy, and community engagement. Here are five key steps to guide you through the process:

1. Strategic Planning and Design

Start by crafting a comprehensive plan that outlines your goals and objectives. Consider factors like the greenhouse’s size, location, and layout. Design the space to accommodate various plant species and provide optimal conditions for growth, ensuring it becomes a thriving hub of horticultural exploration. Select the location in such a way that it can be used by everyone and serves the purpose of inclusiveness. For instance, if there are members who are physically challenged, then consider a ramp, for them to move around in their wheelchair. 

2. Selecting the Right Plants

Choose a diverse range of plants that align with your institution’s purpose. Whether it’s educational, therapeutic, or community-focused, the plant selection should cater to your goals. From flowering marvels to air-purifying greens, each plant should contribute to the greenhouse’s overarching mission. Though the purpose of community gardens and greenhouses is to cooperate and learn, it is ok to hire professional help at times if none of the members are good with plants. Remember this is also a learning space, so it is ok to learn from someone who knows the subject. 

3. Creating a Learning Environment

Transform the greenhouse into an interactive learning zone. Incorporate signage, demonstrations, and hands-on activities that educate visitors about different plant species, growth cycles, and sustainable gardening practices. This immersive experience will leave a lasting impact on students, employees, and the community. The awareness created by such groups can translate into a bigger impact where slowly, steadily everyone tries to grow a plant either for food, or aesthetics. 

4. Therapeutic Spaces and Programs

Allocate areas for therapeutic gardening activities. These spaces offer a serene retreat where individuals can find solace and mental rejuvenation through gardening. Collaborate with therapists and experts to develop tailored programs that harness the healing power of plants to benefit participants’ well-being. Taking care of garden patches within the institutional green space will help people beat depression. They stay happy and active. 

5. Community Engagement and Outreach

Foster community engagement by involving residents, schools, and organizations. Organize workshops, gardening classes, and volunteering opportunities that bring people together to care for the greenhouse. Establish partnerships with community groups to ensure the greenhouse becomes a shared space that cultivates a sense of belonging.

Conclusion:

An institutional greenhouse’s purpose transcends individual interests, embodying a collective mission. To ensure alignment and community involvement, conducting a survey can prove invaluable. By seeking consensus through thoughtful questions, the survey captures insights, clarifies goals, and fosters a shared vision. This inclusive approach not only strengthens the greenhouse’s impact but also empowers the community to actively contribute to its higher purpose. A survey also ensures participation and awareness about the benefits of a future project. 

Calrsen, considered the best rapid chess player in the world today, came out guns blazing in the second rapid game of the day, leading Praggnanandhaa to agree to a draw.

After the classical games ended in a stalemate, Carlsen put on a dominant show and won the first game, going on to defeat the 18-yeard old Indian Grandmaster 1.5-0.5 in the tie-breaks to finally add the World Cup to his trophy cabinet.

Carlsen had briefly been on the backfoot in the first game of the day but took command towards the end, putting some time pressure on Praggnanandhaa.

Battling a stomach bug, Carlsen had an extra day compared to Praggnanandhaa because of the fact that the latter had to play a tie-breaker in his semi-final tie.

The Norwegian admitted however that there was no real advantage due to his health issue.

Carlsen said after the first round, ‘Normally, I would just probably have a bit of an advantage having a rest day while he had to play a tough tiebreak yesterday, but I’ve been in a pretty rough shape the last couple of days. I got some food poisoning after the game against Abasov. I haven’t been able to eat for the last two days. This also meant that I was really calm cause I had no energy to be nervous,. I am happy with the way that I solved the problem in the opening so the result is fine.’

For finishing second in the FIDE World Cup 2023, Praggnanandhaa has earned a whopping sum of USD 80,000 (approximately INR 66,13,444). Norway’s Carlsen is taking home USD 110K (approximately INR 90,93,551) for winning the World Cup title.

Pragg became the second Indian (after Grand Master Vishwanath Anand) to enter the tournament final.

Praggnanandhaa defeated World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana to reach the finals. He beat Caruana 3.5-2.5 after tiebreaks.

Born and raised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Praggnanandhaa took an interest in chess at just two years old, after his older sister started playing at six.

Vaishali later became a grandmaster in 2018 and an international master in 2021.

When Pragg was six himself, he bagged second rank in the under-7 Indian championships before winning gold at the Asian Championships.

He then went on to win the World Youth Chess Championships for under-8s and under-10s.

In 2016, Praggnanandhaa created history after winning his ninth-round game at the KIIT International Chess Festival in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

At the age of 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days, he became an international chess master, the youngest ever in the history of the sport.

‘Congratulations to R Praggnanandhaa for an outstanding FIDE Chess World Cup journey to the Finals. My best wishes for the title match against Magnus Carlsen. More than a billion Indians are cheering for you,’ the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had posted on X.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia had also congratulated Praggnanandhaa. Scindia wrote on X, ‘Heartiest congratulations and best of luck to India’s young genius Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa as he advances to the finals of FIDE World Cup 2023.’

Two months after challenging Vladimir Putin’s leadership in an apparent but abortive “mutiny”, Yevgeny Prigozhin – the former owner of the mercenary private military company Wagner Group – has joined a long list of prominent Russians to die in mysterious circumstances.

Prigozhin’s private jet apparently crashed on a routine flight from Moscow to St Petersburg just after 3pm local time. Confirmation of Prigozhin’s likely demise came in the form of announcements by Russia’s authorities and a Telegram channel linked to the Wagner group. Conveniently, there was also video footage of the plane falling out of the sky and burning on the ground.

With him on the aircraft was Dmitry Utkin, widely considered to be his second in command at the Wagner Group. Other passengers are reported to have included Valery Chekalov, the head of Wagner security, Yevgeny Makaryan, who has been described as Prigozhin’s bodyguard and other Wagner Group personnel.

While it is unlikely that we will ever know for sure how, why and on whose orders Prigozhin might have been killed, it is far less difficult to imagine that he finally paid the price for his march on Moscow at the head of a column of his Wagner Group troops at the end of June 2023. The deaths of other top Wagner personnel in the crash spell the likely end of the group in its current form.

At the time, Prigozhin went to great lengths to paint his mutiny as directed against the top brass in the Russian ministry of defence and not as a direct challenge to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. Yet the brief episode exposed cracks in the regime. Unopposed by local and regional security forces, Prigozhin’s troops were able to take Rostov-on-Don and the headquarters of Russia’s southern military district and command centre of the war in Ukraine. They also marched to within 200km (125 miles) of the Russian capital, again mostly unopposed.

Following a deal brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin called off his rebellion, agreeing to relocate his men and himself to Belarus and Wagner’s overseas bases – mostly in Africa. https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gpd4V5DbDIw?wmode=transparent&start=0 Yevgeny Prigozhin in what appears to be a recruitment video for the Wagner Group apparently filmed in Africa.

Despite some concerns over an increasing Wagner presence closer to Nato members Poland and Lithuania, little of the agreed relocation seems to have happened. Prigozhin himself appears to have enjoyed significant freedom of movement in Russia in the weeks after his abortive mutiny, including making an appearance on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit at the end of July.

Putin’s purges

Though abrupt, his death is not unexpected. Under Putin, a former KGB operative himself, Russia has carried out several high-profile assassinations and assassination attempts, including in the UK and Germany, to go after alleged traitors and Putin critics.

Many opposition figures in Russia have either died mysteriously or been assassinated. The list includes figures such as Alexei Navalny (who survived novichok poisoning), former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov, anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, and journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

Meanwhile, some regime critics may have thought themselves to be beyond his reach in the UK or other countries, have also been disposed of. These include oligarch and former friend turned critic, Boris Berezovsky, and former spies Alexander Litvinenko and Sergei Skripal, who were both poisoned (although Skripal survived) have been targeted. https://www.youtube.com/embed/bXOWK-Vj7_M?wmode=transparent&start=0 Former spy and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko died of polonium poisoning in London.

Putin’s message here has been clear for two decades: opposition will not be tolerated and will probably have fatal consequences.

Prigozhin’s likely assassination reaffirms this message spectacularly. But it is not the only step that Putin has taken to reassert control. On the day of Prigozhin’s death, one of his presumptive allies in the military establishment, Sergei Surovikin – a former commander of Russian forces in Ukraine – was apparently dismissed as head of the Russian aerospace forces. This followed weeks of speculation following his disappearance after the Prigozhin mutiny.

Other top military officials critical of Russia’s conduct of the war in Ukraine, including the commander of the Russia 58th Combined Arms Army, Ivan Popov, were dismissed. Other officials, considered close to Prigozhin, including the deputy head of military intelligence, Vladimir Alexeyev, are still unaccounted for.

Outside the military, alleged critics of Putin’s war in Ukraine have not been safe either. A series of mysterious deaths struck fear into Russian oligarchs in the months after the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022. Since then, criticism from the Russian business elite has been muted.

The apparent assassination of Prigozhin would therefore seem to be business as usual for Putin. It was foreshadowed in the Russian president’s speech on June 24, the morning after Prigozhin’s mutiny began, when he vowed to punish the “traitors”, as he described them.

Back to business as usual?

Prigozhin’s demise also draws a line under the apparent power struggle within the Russian military. As the chief architects of the war in Ukraine, the defence minister, Sergey Shoigu, and chief of general staff, Valery Gerasimov, are the most obvious beneficiaries of Prigozhin’s death and the wider purges of critics inside and outside the military.

Putin, and his inner circle, clearly have prevailed on this occasion. This is not surprising, given how little direct and public support Prigozhin received over the course of his mutiny. In this sense, Putin’s regime is still highly effective and has demonstrated its capacity to survive domestic challenges.

But the underlying problem – a disastrous military campaign in Ukraine – has not gone away with the death of Prigozhin. Putin may have silenced one of the most outspoken critics of the conduct of the war, and have others arrested or murdered, like prominent pro-war bloggers Igor Girkin and Vladen Tatarsky. But many who share Prigozhin’s misgivings without backing him publicly will have survived Putin’s clean-up operation.

Putin can be sure that they will now be extra careful not to stand too close to high windows or accept cups of tea from anyone connected with Russia’s security services. But this may not be the only lesson they have learned from Prigozhin’s demise – and that will likely worry the Kremlin and increase the paranoia of Putin and those around him.

Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Chandrayaan-3’s rover Pragyan will emerge from the lander three-and-a-half hours or upto a day since lander Vikram touched down on the lunar surface, depending on the conditions.

This rover will move on Moon’s surface for next 14 days and perform a variety of experiments witht the payloads on the Vikram lander

ILSA ( Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity):This will study quakes on the surface of the moon

ChaSTE (Surface Thermo-Physical Experiment): To study thermos physical behaviour of moon surface.

LASER Retroreflector Array:

This payload is of NASA, where idea is to study real time distance between earth and moon

APXS (Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer: To study Moons soil LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope)

Soil study RAMBHA (Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere): To study the near surface plasma activities on the moon.

LP (Langmuir probe): To study plasma activities

SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth): To study the spectro-polarimetric signatures of the earth.

Vikram would have kicked up a large cloud of lunar dust when it landed. The dust will not settle down anytime soon due to the weaker gravitational force on the moon. So the rover will wait just over three hours for the dust to scatter away on its own momentum.

As ISRO would want to avoid the fine lunar dust coating the cameras and other sensitive instruments, so it decided to wait for over three hours to ensure the dust moves away.

The rover Pragyan will first extend its solar arrays and roll out with a wire connected to Vikram. The wire will be snapped once the rover is stable on the lunar surface.

Pragyan will then start its scientific missions.

Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
'India,
I reached my destination
and you too!'
: Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 has successfully
soft-landed on the moon !.

Congratulations, India!#Chandrayaan_3#Ch3

— ISRO (@isro) August 23, 2023

Powered Descent:

After a minor course correction, Chandrayaan-3 has successfully soft-landed on the moon, Congratulations ISRO and India!

Vertical descent phase 2 hovering goes normally. Re-targeting is on at 50 m from the surface

Vertical descent phase 1 goes normally. Lander now at 300 m from the lunar surface.

Lander is at 1 km from the lunar surface in the final vertical descent phase.

Lander enters into fine breaking phase, with the sensors performing normally, the phase extends for 3 minutes, and the lander will be 800 m from the lunar surface and the horizontal velocity will be brought to zero.

The lander is now 7 km from the moon’s surface, with a horizontal velocity of 300m/s.

After the rough breaking phase, the lander enters into the attitude holding phase.

In the current phase, the current altitude is at 14 km, at a horizontal velocity of 557 m/s and a vertical velocity of about 71 m/s.

In the current phase, the current altitude is at 20 km, at a horizontal velocity of 1100 m/s and a vertical velocity of about 30 m/s.

The Vikram Lander begins its powered descent nearly 228 km into the 745 km rough breaking phase. The velocity of the lander module will be reduced from 1680 m/s to 358 m/s.

After a 40-day journey starting from the Sathish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Chandrayaan-3 mission is now preparing to land. If all goes well, the Vikram lander should make a soft lunar landing at 6.04 PM IST on August 23. You can watch a live stream of the landing below.

Ahead of the launch, ISRO said it is ready to initiate the mission’s automatic landing sequence. The space agency plans to do it at 5.44 PM IST. From this point onwards, the Vikram lander will use its onboard computers and logic to try to make a soft landing on the Moon.

‘All set to initiate the Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS). Awaiting the arrival of Lander Module (LM) at the designated point, around 17:44 Hrs. IST. Upon receiving the ALS command, the LM activates the throttleable engines for powered descent. The mission operations team will keep confirming the sequential execution of commands.’ ISRO updates on its official X account.

ISRO’s Vikram Lander Module will land around 6:04 pm on moon today. Later, it will release the Pragyan rover.

The real test of the mission will begin at the last leg of the landing. Prior to 20 minutes before landing, ISRO will initiate Automatic Landing Sequence (ALS). It will enable Vikram LM to take charge and use its on-board computers and logic to identify a favourable spot and make a soft-landing on the lunar surface.

Experts say that the final 15 to 20 minutes will be highly crucial for the success of the mission when Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander will make its soft landing. Indians throughout the country and across the world are praying for Chandrayaan-3 Landing today.

…. and
The moon as captured by the
Lander Imager Camera 4
on August 20, 2023.#Chandrayaan_3 #Ch3 pic.twitter.com/yPejjLdOSS

— ISRO (@isro) August 22, 2023

Given the history of India’s second lunar mission, which failed during the last 20 minutes before landing, ISRO is extra-cautious this time in the process. Due to high risk to the spacecraft minutes before moon landing, the duration is dubbed by many as ’20 minutes of terror.’

During this phase, the whole process will become autonomous, where Vikram lander ignitedits own engines at the right times and altitudes.

Image Source: Unsplash

Roulette, a popular casino game of chance, has captured the hearts of players worldwide with its thrilling spins and potential for big wins. However, to ensure fairness and integrity, casinos enforce specific rules and regulations that govern the gameplay. In this article, we’ll delve into the fundamental rules and regulations of playing roulette, offering both beginners and experienced players a comprehensive guide to the game.

1. The Basics of Roulette

Roulette is a game played on a spinning wheel with numbered pockets. Players place bets on where they think a ball will land after the wheel is spun. The wheel typically consists of 36 numbered pockets, alternating between red and black, and a green “0” or “00” pocket, depending on the roulette variant being played.

2. Types of Bets

Roulette offers a variety of betting options, categorized into two main types: inside bets and outside bets.

Inside Bets:

• Straight Bet: Betting on a single number by placing a chip directly on that number.
• Split Bet: Placing a chip on the line between two adjacent numbers to bet on both numbers.
• Street Bet: Betting on a row of three numbers by placing a chip on the outer edge of the row.
• Corner Bet: Placing a chip at the intersection of four numbers to bet on all four.
• Six-Line Bet: Betting on two adjacent rows of three numbers by placing a chip on the outer edge where the rows meet.

Outside Bets:

• Red/Black: Betting on whether the ball will land on a red or black pocket.
• Odd/Even: Betting on whether the ball will land on an odd or even number.
• High/Low: Betting on whether the ball will land on a high (19-36) or low (1-18) number.
• Dozen Bet: Betting on one of three groups of 12 numbers: 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36.
• Column Bet: Betting on one of three vertical columns of numbers.

3. Table Limits

Casinos impose minimum and maximum betting limits on roulette tables to ensure a balanced and fair gaming environment. Minimum bets protect players from significant losses, while maximum bets prevent players from placing excessively large wagers that could skew the odds.

4. Dealer Responsibilities

In a physical casino, the dealer (or croupier) is responsible for spinning the wheel and ball, announcing the winning number, and collecting and paying out bets. Online roulette games use a virtual dealer or a Random Number Generator (RNG) to ensure fairness in the outcome.

5. Payouts

Each type of bet has its own payout odds, which are determined by the probability of winning. Bets on single numbers (straight bets) have the highest payouts but also the lowest odds of winning, while outside bets offer lower payouts but higher odds of success.

6. En Prison and La Partage

In some variations of roulette, like European and French roulette, players may have the option to apply the “En Prison” or “La Partage” rule. These rules affect even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) when the ball lands on the green “0” pocket. En Prison allows players to leave their bet on the table for the next spin, while La Partage refunds half of the bet.

7. Etiquette and Conduct

Casino etiquette is crucial when playing roulette. Players are expected to be respectful to dealers and fellow players, refrain from touching their bets once the wheel starts spinning, and follow the casino’s specific rules and guidelines.

8. Online Roulette

Online casino Philippines offer virtual roulette games with the same rules and regulations as physical casinos. However, players should choose reputable and licensed online casinos to ensure a fair and secure gaming experience.

Conclusion

Understanding the rules and regulations of playing roulette is essential for an enjoyable and successful gaming experience. Whether playing in a brick-and-mortar casino or online, adhering to these guidelines ensures fair play, maintains casino etiquette, and contributes to a positive gaming atmosphere. Remember, roulette is a game of chance, so while a strategic approach can enhance your experience, luck ultimately plays a significant role in the outcome.

Disclaimer:

• As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
• Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976  
• Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
• Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
• Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
• This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.

Underlining the project’s national importance, the CAS emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to ensure the success of this endeavor. He emphasized the LCA’s significance as a representation of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) and the Make in India initiatives. The program shows India’s growing self-reliance in the aerospace sector.

The comprehensive review revealed that all fighter variants falling under the LCA Mk 1 category had been successfully delivered to the IAF as per the agreed-upon contracts. The HAL representatives reaffirmed their commitment to delivering the contracted twin-seater aircraft within the stipulated timeframe.

In addition to the achievements of LCA Mk 1, the IAF signed a contract for 83 units of the LCA Mk-1A variant in 2021. HAL’s Chairman & Managing Director assured attendees that deliveries of this advanced version would commence by February 2024. Praising HAL’s efforts, the CAS suggested that if these commitments were met, the LCA Mk 1A could be assigned to a newly established squadron at one of the IAF’s operational bases in the early months of the upcoming year.

While acknowledging some project delays discussed during the review, the CAS appreciated the dedication demonstrated by all stakeholders. He also emphasized the importance of integrating the valuable lessons learned from the LCA program into future indigenous design and developmental projects.

With the expected timely deliveries of the improved LCA Mk 1A variant, its deployment is set to expand to forward bases and its participation in international exercises in the near future. This achievement indicates technological progress and strengthens India’s growing prominence in the global aerospace arena. 

The author is a Delhi-based, DCC-qualified defence beat writer and independent contributor to print and online publications

Views are personal